Tert-amyl alcohol appears as a clear, colorless liquid with an odor of camphor. 2-methylbutan-2-ol is a tertiary alcohol that is propan-1-ol in which both of the hydrogens at position 1 have been replaced by methyl groups.

Application

tert-Amyl alcohol (TAA) or 2-methylbutan-2-ol (2M2B), is a branched pentanol. Historically TAA has been used an anesthetic and more recently used as a recreational drug. TAA is mostly a positive allosteric modulator for GABAA receptors in the same way as ethanol.