tert-Amyl hydroperoxide (TAHP)

Overview

TAHP is a widely used initiator for free radical reactions, valued for its stability and ease of handling. Unlike other initiators, it doesn't require freezing and can be stored safely at temperatures below 50°C for up to three months without losing effectiveness. This makes it especially convenient for industrial use. TAHP is often preferred in applications like emulsion polymerization, aqueous-phase polymerization, curing, and graft polymerization due to its performance advantages over alternatives like persulfates, cumene hydroperoxide, and benzoyl peroxide. One notable benefit of TAHP is that its decomposition results in tert-amyl alcohol and small amounts of acetone, which are non-corrosive and cause less wear on equipment, unlike other initiators that often produce acidic by-products.