2,6-di-tert-butylphenols

A 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol of the formula I

• in which
• R is a straight chain alkyl radical having 1 to 18 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted and in which one or more non-adjacent CH2 groups are optionally replaced by a radical selected from the group consisting of —O—, —CO— and —C≡C—,
• A1 and A2 are, independently of one another,
• a) a 1,4-phenylene radical, in which one or two CH groups are optionally replaced by N, or
• b) a 1,4-cyclohexenylene or 1,4-cyclohexylene radical, in which one or two non-adjacent CH2 groups are optionally replaced by —O— or —S—,
• wherein the radical a) is optionally monosubstituted or polysubstituted by halogen atoms, and/or cyano groups, and radical b) is optionally monosubstituted or polysubstituted by halogen atoms, and/or cyano and/or methyl groups,
• Z1 and Z2 are each, independently of one another, —CO—O—, —O—CO—, —CH2—O—, —OCH2—, —CH2CH2—, —CH═CH—, —C≡C— or a single bond, and
• m and n are each, independently of one another 0, 1, 2 or 3, where m+n≧1,
• with the proviso that compounds of the formulae
• each where R=—C≡CH, alkyl or alkyl with the CH2 group bonded to the ring replaced by —O— or —CO— and each where the phenyl rings are optionally further substituted by chlorine or bromine atoms, are excluded.