2-tert-butylaminoethyl methacrylate

Biodegradation in water and sediment: simulation tests

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Reference 1

Endpoint:

biodegradation in water: simulation testing on ultimate degradation in surface water

Type of information:

experimental study planned

Study period:

Study planned after the Hydrolysis study according to OECD TG 111 is completed.

Justification for type of information:

These studies will be performed in a tiered approach based on first the Hydrolysis study according to OECD TG 111 (as requested by the Compliance check decision CCH-D-2114612447-51-01/F deadline 19-jan-2026). If based on the hydrolysis test, we can conclude that the substance is not persistent, the need for the biodegradation simulation studies will be reconsidered.
In case a half-life of less than 40 days at 12°C is observed for the parent in the hydrolysis test at pH 7 and the bioaccumulation potential of identified degradation products is concluded to be low (log Kow ≤ 4.5), it is considered justified to conclude that the substance is not a PBT/ vPvB substance and that no further biodegradation simulation testing according to OECD TG 308 or 309 is not required to evaluate the persistency and related PBT/vPvB properties of the substance

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 309 (Aerobic Mineralisation in Surface Water - Simulation Biodegradation Test)

Transformation products:

no

Reference 2

Endpoint:

biodegradation in water: sediment simulation testing

Type of information:

experimental study planned

Justification for type of information:

Biodegradation simulation testing will be performed in a tiered approach. After evaluating the results of the biodegradation in water according to OECD 309, we will decide whether to perform further biodegradation simulation testings according to OECD TG 308.

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 308 (Aerobic and Anaerobic Transformation in Aquatic Sediment Systems)

Transformation products:

no

Description of key information

These studies will be performed in a tiered approach based on first the Hydrolysis study according to OECD TG 111 (as requested by the Compliance check decision CCH-D-2114612447-51-01/F). If based on the hydrolysis test, we can conclude that the substance is not persistent, the need for the biodegradation simulation studies will be reconsidered. 

 

Background

The substance is a monomer, which at this >100 tons level is only imported in polymers from outside EU. The residual monomer level in polymer is <0.01%.

 

2-tert-butylaminoethyl methacrylate (TBAEMA)  is considered to be hydrolytically unstable. Half-lives of 3.3 h, 4.5 days and > 1 year were observed for a structurally strongly related substance N,N-Dimethylaminoethyl Methacrylate (DMAEMA) at resp pH 9 at 25 °C, pH 7 at 25 °C and pH 4 at 50 °C. In contrast with DMAEMA, TBAEMA was found the be only partly biodegradable. One of the two hydrolysis products is quickly biodegraded and the other is most likely not.  

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Half-life in freshwater:

4.5 d

at the temperature of:

25 °C

Half-life in freshwater sediment:

4.5 d

at the temperature of:

25 °C

Additional information

2-tert-butylaminoethyl methacrylate (CAS 3775 -90 -4) is a monomer used in the manufacture of acrylic copolymers used as ingredients in personal care and industrial products. Manufacture of the monomer and the polymers containing it, takes place outside the European Community. The 2-tert-butylaminoethyl methacrylate is typically incorporated in the polymer at up to 4% with more than >99.75 % of the monomer bound in the polymer with only <0.25 % of unbound residual monomer. The estimated remaining residual fraction is <0.01% in polymers imported into the EU is therefore <0.2 tons (<200kg).

In addition: 2-tert-butylaminoethyl methacrylate is quickly (bio)degraded into two products from which one is quickly further biodegraded to CO2, NH3 and H2O. The other product is unlikely to be further biodegraded.