2,4,6-Tri-tert-butylphenol is a yellowish solid which dissolves in many organic solvents, but not in aqueous or alcoholic alkaline solutions.
In acidic media, the hydroxydienone is dealkylated with the cleavage of the tert-butyl group in the 4-position to the 2,6-di-tert-butylhydroquinone, which is oxidized to the end product 2,6-di-tert-butyl-1,4-benzoquinone.