Will 2-Methyl-2-Butanol Show up on a Breathalyzer?

[killermunchies]

I was wondering if ingested 2-methyl-2-butanol would show up on a normal breathalyzer. I know it is a kind of alcohol but since I don't really know how breathalyzers work, I don't know if it would show up or not. If anyone on here knows the chemistry that goes on inside a breathalyzer, I'd appreciate an educated guess. Or if someone has a breathalyzer and some 2-methyl-2-butanol and wants to give it a try, that would obviously work too. I searched and couldn't find any answers. Thanks.

 

[sekio]

It shouldn't, it won't participate in a redox reaction like ethanol will. You shouldn't be driving while it's in your system though.

 

[killermunchies]

Thanks for the answer. Just for the record, I'm not considering driving while under the influence of it. I am on thin ice with the law and I'm under 21. I can't risk having ethanol in my system while walking around in public or at parties that could potentially be busted.

 

[fryingsquirrel]

Given the difference in dose even if it did it wouldn't be enough to show you as drunk.

 

[...]

no, absolutely not. Breathalyzers use chromic acid. 2M2B is a tertiary alcohol and chromic acid will not react with tertiary alcohols.

 

[Transform]

Many modern breathalysers use minature fuel cells. If memory serves, they use oxygen to oxidise the alcohol and measure the electricity produced. Since 2m2b is a tertiary alcohol, as others have mentioned, it will not oxidise so won't register.

 

[Hammilton]

I believe almost all "breathalyzers" are either the fuel cell type or use IR spectroscopy. Neither are actually "breathalyzers" which is a brand name for the color-changing chromic acid type (which were the first and don't seem to be used anymore, certainly not often). I know Alcosensor IV is a name for a brand that uses fuel cells, but I'm not aware of any particular brand that uses IR spectroscopy, only that there apparently is a brand that does.

 

[killermunchies]

Thanks for the answers guys. This is nice to know. And just to reiterate, I won't be driving with it and strongly discourage anyone else from doing so.

 

[ballstoyousir!]

Good to know, and just to point out that even if somebody was lame enough to drive on this stuff on a full dose, you'll get a DUI if you fail the field sobriety tests. More importantly, you're risking killing yourself and/or others in the process. I'm not trying to imply OP was considering it as he explained, just wanted to add my $.02.

 

[Transform]

You're risking your life and others' by driving on any dose of depressants, not just a full one. You can (and dare I say hopefully will) be prosecuted when you are shown to be impaired.