Ortho‑tertiary‑butylcyclohexyl acetate catches some attention among specialty chemicals for its balanced structure and physical stability. In practical terms, this chemical usually lands on the workbench as powder, flakes, pearls, or sometimes a low-melting solid with occasional crystal appearance. It stems from cyclohexyl chemistry, sporting an acetate group—most will spot a four-carbon tertiary butyl group pushing off one side of the cyclohexane ring. That branching shifts density, changes how OTBCHA melts, and shapes its future use in fragrances, coatings, and even tough industrial resins. Looking at its standard physical properties, OTBCHA holds the formula C14H26O2. Its molecular weight tips the scale at about 226.36 g/mol, and density hovers around 0.97 g/cm3 at room temperature, a little lighter than water.
Anyone buying OTBCHA faces choices in appearance—companies supply it as white to off-white crystals, gritty flakes, or bead-like pellets. Most of the time, it's unscented or only faintly aromatic, lacking the strong chemical odor people expect. In the open, OTBCHA stays stable and doesn't react with air or light under normal storage. Shelf life stretches for years, so long as moisture stays away. Melting point usually falls between 42°C and 46°C, ensuring decent plasticity and ease of mixing. In large sacks or drums, it resists caking and stays free-flowing. Those packing or sorting the raw product can handle it without safety gear if dust isn't whipping into the air, since OTBCHA doesn't volatilize rapidly at room temperature.
Customs forms recognize OTBCHA under the HS Code 2915390090, falling under acetic esters, a segment familiar to global shipping brokers. Those trading in raw materials pay close attention to paperwork matching HS numbers, because shipments cross international lines, from specialty fragrance makers in Europe to chemical processors in Asia. Supply chain management for this kind of material usually means double-wrapped bags, pallets lined up in well-ventilated, shaded storage. The solid state holds an advantage for shippers: powders, granules, and crystals prove less hazardous during transit than volatile liquid chemicals.
Chefs and workers in scent factories reach for OTBCHA to blend it into fresh citrus accords and woody fragrances—its ring-structured backbone fits with other molecules to round out synthetic scents. Heavy industry sometimes leans on OTBCHA as a specialty plasticizer, giving synthetic polymers just a bit more flexibility without quitting strength. Most academic studies show its sturdy cyclohexyl ring resists photolysis, oxidation, or breakdown in light-duty applications. Structure analysis by NMR and mass spectrometry reveals a central cyclohexyl core, an acetate group, and a bulky tertiary carbon extending outward—combining chemical stability with enough reactivity to bond under the right conditions.
Lab techs and plant operators know density clocks in close to 0.97 g/cm3, and OTBCHA floats on water. This feature pops up in all sorts of real-world processes—spills remain manageable, runoff doesn't threaten water tables, and oiled pads retain residue during cleaning. Hazard data counts OTBCHA as a low-toxicity chemical, without established links to chronic health damage at typical workplace exposure. Even so, the rules of safe handling don't flex: keep the chemical sealed away from acids, strong oxidizers, and direct flame. Bulk storage needs protection from extreme heat to avoid gradual decomposition. Occupational safety standards recommend eye protection and gloves if handling ton-quantities. Most plants add gentle local ventilation for crystal dust, but small users rarely encounter respiratory risks.
At the heart of OTBCHA's manufacturing, cyclohexanone and tert-butyl alcohol step forward as primary raw materials. Synthetic protocols rely on acetic anhydride for the final esterification step—the reaction binds the acetate group to the cyclohexyl skeleton, producing the distinctive molecule. In environmental terms, production plants have trended toward closed-process cycles, recycling solvents and scrubbing vent gases. Most facilities source high-purity raw materials to keep batch-to-batch consistency tight. Challenges for smaller manufacturers come from sourcing global stocks when price swings hit either the alcohol or acetic anhydride market—driving up costs and limiting supply.
Factories seeking to use or store OTBCHA choose suppliers with clear transparency on raw material origin and third-party purity verification. Green chemistry projects step up by improving yield, cutting down on acid waste, and tuning the process for less energy use. Soap and perfume makers can opt for digital batch tracking and serialization, boosting quality control and keeping batches recall-ready. Workers gain by enforcing strict handling policies, marking zones for fine powder versus pearlized solid, preventing inhalation of particulates, and staying alert to any accidental contact incidents.
OTBCHA’s low vapor pressure means most of it stays put during processing and mixing, which reduces exposure risk on the shop floor. Waste management protocols now encourage full neutralization of spills before disposal. In water, OTBCHA breaks down under sunlight and moderate temperatures, showing no evidence for long-term soil or sediment buildup. Toxicology reviews in workplace settings support its safety in standard amounts, but ongoing monitoring catches any changes resulting from raw materials impurities.
Molecular formula: C14H26O2. Appearance: white/off-white powder, flakes, or pearls. Melting range: 42–46°C. Density: approximately 0.97 g/cm3. Storage type: cool, dry, away from aggressive reagents. Safe for routine handling by professionally trained staff, with appropriate eye and skin protection. HS Code: 2915390090. Major roles in fragrance, solvent, plasticizer, and specialty resin industries.
