Butylated hydroxyanisole

Butylated hydroxyanisole

IUPAC name	2-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole and 3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole (mixture)
Identifiers
CAS number	25013-16-5
Properties
Molecular formula	C₁₁H₁₆O₂
Molar mass	180.24 g/mol
Appearance	waxy solid
Melting point	48-55 °C
Boiling point	264-270 °C
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references

Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) is a mixture of two isomeric organic compounds, 2-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole and 3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole. It is prepared from 4-methoxyphenol and isobutylene. It is a waxy solid that exhibits antioxidant properties.

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Like butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), the conjugated aromatic ring of BHA is able to stabilize free radicals, sequestering them. By acting as free radical scavengers, further free radical reactions are prevented.

The National Institutes of Health considers BHA reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.^[1]