Methyl 5-(tert-Butyl)-2-hydroxybenzoate
●CAS No.: 52888-72-9
●Molecular Formula: C₁₂H₁₆O₃
●Molecular Weight: 208.25
●Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow solid
●Description: Methyl 5-(tert-butyl)-2-hydroxybenzoate is a substituted hydroxybenzoate ester and a hindered phenol derivative. The benzene ring contains three main substituents: a hydroxyl group (phenolic OH) at the 2-position, a methyl ester group from the carboxyl, and a tert-butyl group at the 5-position. The hydroxyl group adjacent to the ester is characteristic of salicylic acid derivatives, conferring potential antioxidant activity. The steric hindrance of the tert-butyl group stabilizes the phenoxy radical formed after hydrogen atom transfer, which underpins its antioxidant function. This compound can be used as a model compound for studying the steric effects of phenolic antioxidants, as well as a useful intermediate for constructing hindered phenol functional molecules in synthetic chemistry. It is widely used in pharmaceuticals, polymer stabilization, and coating antioxidants.
