2-Methyl-2-butanol, also known as tert-amyl alcohol or amylene hydrate, is one of the isomer

Isomer

In chemistry, isomers are compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural formulas. Isomers do not necessarily share similar properties, unless they also have the same functional groups. There are many different classes of isomers, like stereoisomers, enantiomers, geometrical...

s of amyl alcohol

Amyl alcohol

An amyl alcohol is any of 8 alcohols with the formula C5H11OH. A mixture of amyl alcohols can be obtained from fusel alcohol. Amyl alcohol is used as a solvent and in esterfication for example in the production of amyl acetate...

. It is a clear, colorless liquid with a strong odor of peppermint or camphor. In humans it possesses sedative

Sedative

A sedative or tranquilizer is a substance that induces sedation by reducing irritability or excitement....

, hypnotic

Hypnotic

Hypnotic drugs are a class of psychoactives whose primary function is to induce sleep and to be used in the treatment of insomnia and in surgical anesthesia...

, and anticonvulsant

Anticonvulsant

The anticonvulsants are a diverse group of pharmaceuticals used in the treatment of epileptic seizures. Anticonvulsants are also increasingly being used in the treatment of bipolar disorder, since many seem to act as mood stabilizers, and in the treatment of neuropathic pain. The goal of an...

 effects similar to ethanol

Ethanol

Ethanol, also called ethyl alcohol, pure alcohol, grain alcohol, or drinking alcohol, is a volatile, flammable, colorless liquid. It is a psychoactive drug and one of the oldest recreational drugs. Best known as the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages, it is also used in thermometers, as a...

 through ingestion or inhalation, and was previously used in medicine for this purpose. It is active in doses of 2,000-5,000 mg, making it some 20 times more potent than regular ethanol. Its hypnotic potency is between that of chloral hydrate

Chloral hydrate

Chloral hydrate is a sedative and hypnotic drug as well as a chemical reagent and precursor. The name chloral hydrate indicates that it is formed from chloral by the addition of one molecule of water. Its chemical formula is C2H3Cl3O2....

 and paraldehyde

Paraldehyde

Paraldehyde is the cyclic trimer of acetaldehyde molecules. Formally, it is a derivative of 1,3,5-trioxane. The corresponding tetramer is metaldehyde. A colourless liquid, it is sparingly soluble in water and highly soluble in alcohol. Paraldehyde slowly oxidizes in air, turning brown and producing...

. 2-methyl-2-butanol is similar in structure to ethchlorvynol

Ethchlorvynol

Ethchlorvynol is a sedative and hypnotic medication developed by Pfizer in the 1950s. It has been used to treat insomnia, but has been largely superseded and is only offered where an intolerance or allergy to other drugs exists....

 and methylpentynol

Methylpentynol

Methylpentynol is a hypnotic/sedative with anticonvulsant effects. It was discovered by Bayer in 1928 and was previously used for the treatment of insomnia but has been replaced by newer drugs with better safety profiles....

. It is a byproduct of the fermentation of grain

GRAIN

GRAIN is a small international non-profit organisation that works to support small farmers and social movements in their struggles for community-controlled and biodiversity-based food systems. Our support takes the form of independent research and analysis, networking at local, regional and...

. It is also present in hops

Hops

Hops are the female flower clusters , of a hop species, Humulus lupulus. They are used primarily as a flavoring and stability agent in beer, to which they impart a bitter, tangy flavor, though hops are also used for various purposes in other beverages and herbal medicine...

. In humans, 2-methyl-2-butanol is metabolized primarily via gluconoridation and oxidation to 2,3-dihydroxy-2-methylbutane. Overdose produces symptoms similar to alcohol poisoning and is a medical emergency.