Butanol
Butanol (also known as n-Butanol or Normal Butanol) is a clear, colorless liquid with a mild, alcoholic odor. It is a four-carbon primary alcohol with the chemical formula C4H10O. Butanol is moderately soluble in water and miscible with many organic solvents. Its physical and chemical properties make it a versatile solvent and chemical intermediate. Butanol indicates a high purity grade often used in industrial, pharmaceutical, and chemical synthesis applications.
Butanol
Primary Uses
- Industrial Solvent
- Used as a solvent in the manufacture of coatings, paints, adhesives, and inks.
- Serves as a solvent in the production of plastics and plasticizers.
- Chemical Intermediate
- Employed in the synthesis of butyl acrylate, butyl acetate, and other esters.
- Utilized in producing glycol ethers and other specialty chemicals.
- Pharmaceuticals
- Acts as a solvent or extraction agent in pharmaceutical manufacturing processes.
- Used in formulations requiring high purity solvents.
- Fuel Additive
- Sometimes blended with gasoline or other fuels to improve combustion properties.
Secondary Uses
- Cosmetics and Personal Care
- Used as a solvent in some fragrances and nail care products.
- Laboratory Reagent
- Commonly used as a reagent or solvent in chemical laboratories for synthesis and analysis.
- Agricultural Chemicals
- Ingredient in some pesticide formulations as a carrier solvent.
1. Basic Identification Attributes
- Chemical Name (IUPAC): Butan-1-ol
- Common/Trade Names: Butanol 99.4%, n-Butanol, Normal Butanol
- CAS Number: 71-36-3
- HS Code: 2905.14.00
- Molecular Formula: C4H10O
- Molecular Weight: 74.12 g/mol
- Synonyms:
- 1-Butanol
- n-Butyl alcohol
- Normal butanol
- Butyl alcohol
2. Physical & Chemical Properties
- Physical State: Clear, colorless liquid
- Odor: Mild, alcoholic odor
- Boiling Point: 117.7 °C
- Melting Point: -89.8 °C
- Density: 0.81 g/cm³ at 20 °C
- Flash Point: 35 °C (closed cup)
- Solubility: Slightly soluble in water (~7.7 g/100 mL at 20 °C); miscible with alcohol, ether, and organic solvents
- Vapor Pressure: 6.6 kPa at 20 °C
- Refractive Index: 1.397
3. Safety & Hazard Attributes
- Hazard Class (GHS): Flammable Liquid, Category 3
- NFPA Ratings:
- Health: 2
- Flammability: 3
- Reactivity: 0
- Exposure Limits:
- OSHA PEL: 100 ppm (TWA)
- ACGIH TLV: 20 ppm (TWA)
- Toxicity: Moderate toxicity; exposure may cause CNS effects, irritation to eyes and respiratory tract
- Reactivity: Stable under normal conditions; avoid strong oxidizers
4. Storage & Handling Attributes
- Storage Conditions: Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from heat and ignition sources
- Container Type: Airtight metal or chemical-resistant containers
- Shelf Life: 2–3 years under proper storage conditions
- Special Handling: Use grounding and bonding to prevent static discharge; avoid inhalation of vapors and prolonged skin contact
5. Regulatory & Compliance Attributes
- Regulatory Status: Listed under REACH, TSCA, and other major chemical inventories
- Transportation: Classified as a flammable liquid under DOT, IMDG, and IATA
- Waste Disposal: Dispose of according to local, state, and federal hazardous waste regulations
6. Environmental & Health Impact
- Ecotoxicity: Harmful to aquatic organisms; avoid release into the environment
- Persistence: Readily biodegradable
- Bioaccumulation: Low potential for bioaccumulation
- Carcinogenicity/Mutagenicity: Not classified as carcinogenic or mutagenic
Safety Handling Precautions
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
- Chemical-resistant gloves
- Safety goggles or face shield
- Protective clothing (lab coat or apron)
- Respiratory protection if ventilation is inadequate
Handling Measures:
- Avoid inhalation of vapors and contact with skin or eyes
- Use in well-ventilated areas
- Ground and bond containers to prevent static discharge
Storage Measures:
- Keep containers tightly closed
- Store away from heat, sparks, open flames, and incompatible materials
Hygiene Practices:
- Wash hands thoroughly after handling
- Do not eat, drink, or smoke in the work area
First Aid Measures
- Inhalation: Move person to fresh air immediately; seek medical attention if symptoms persist
- Skin Contact: Wash affected area thoroughly with soap and water; seek medical help if irritation occurs
- Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for at least 15 minutes; obtain medical attention if irritation continues
- Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water; do not induce vomiting; seek immediate medical care
Firefighting Measures
- Fire Hazards: Highly flammable liquid and vapor; vapors can travel to ignition sources and flash back
- Extinguishing Media: Use alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical powder, CO₂, or water spray
- Special Precautions: Firefighters should wear full protective gear and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)
- Decomposition Products: May emit toxic fumes including carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide under fire conditions
Related products
Acetone
Acetone (chemical formula CH₃COCH₃) is the simplest and most widely used ketone, appearing as a clear, colorless, volatile liquid with a characteristic sweet, pungent odor. Industrial Grade Acetone is manufactured with a minimum purity of 99.5%, offering aggressive solvent power, rapid evaporation rate, and complete miscibility with water and most organic solvents. Its combination of high solvency, low toxicity relative to other industrial solvents, and favorable regulatory status makes it an indispensable chemical in manufacturing, cleaning, and formulation processes across numerous heavy industries.
Benzyl Alcohol
Benzyl Alcohol is an aromatic alcohol with a mild pleasant odor and clear, colorless liquid appearance. It serves as a versatile solvent, preservative, and intermediate in chemical synthesis. Benzyl Alcohol is widely used across pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, paints, coatings, and as a bacteriostatic agent in injectable drugs. Its relatively low toxicity and good solvent properties make it valuable in both industrial and consumer products.
Carbon Disulfide
Carbon Disulfide (CS₂) is a volatile, flammable, and highly toxic organic solvent composed of carbon and sulfur. At 99% purity, it is a clear to pale yellow liquid with a pungent, sweet, ether-like odor. Carbon Disulfide is produced primarily by the reaction of carbon (charcoal) with sulfur vapors at high temperatures. Due to its excellent solvent properties and reactivity, it is used across multiple industries, including the production of rayon, cellophane, rubber chemicals, and pesticides. Despite its utility, Carbon Disulfide requires careful handling because of its toxicity, flammability, and environmental hazards.
Ink reducer (Ethanol)
Ink reducer (Ethanol) is a volatile, colorless liquid used to adjust the viscosity, flow, and drying time of printing inks. Composed primarily of high-purity ethanol (ethyl alcohol), it acts as a solvent or diluent in various ink systems—particularly in flexographic, gravure, and screen printing. This reducer enhances printability by improving ink transfer, leveling, and penetration into substrates. Ink reducers based on ethanol are fast-drying and widely compatible with alcohol-soluble and water-alcohol hybrid inks used in packaging, label printing, and paper conversion industries.
Methanol
Methanol, also known as methyl alcohol or wood alcohol, is a clear, colorless, volatile, and flammable liquid with a distinct alcoholic odor. It is the simplest alcohol and is widely used as an industrial solvent, antifreeze, fuel, and chemical feedstock. Methanol is highly miscible with water and many organic solvents and serves as a precursor to numerous chemicals including formaldehyde, acetic acid, and various plastic
Pine Oil
Pine Oil is a powerful, aromatic essential oil obtained through the steam distillation of the needles, twigs, and cones of pine trees, primarily Pinus sylvestris or other Pinus species. It features a sharp, woody, and fresh scent with natural disinfectant and deodorizing properties. Rich in monoterpenes such as alpha-pinene and beta-pinene, Pine Oil is widely utilized in cleaning products, disinfectants, air care, cosmetics, and industrial formulations. It is valued for its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and degreasing capabilities, making it an effective multi-purpose ingredient across various sectors.
Turkey Red Oil (Sulphated Castor Oil)
Turkey Red Oil (Sulphated Castor Oil), also known as Sulphated Castor Oil, is a water-soluble derivative of castor oil produced by the sulfonation of castor oil. It appears as a viscous, amber to dark brown liquid with excellent emulsifying, detergent, and wetting properties. Turkey Red Oil is widely used as a natural surfactant and emulsifier in various industrial and personal care applications. It is known for its biodegradability, mildness, and ability to stabilize oil-in-water emulsions. Traditionally used in textile processing as a softener and lubricant, it now finds broad usage in cosmetics, detergents, leather processing, and cleaning products due to its unique functional attributes.
Xylene
Xylene is a clear, colorless, flammable aromatic hydrocarbon solvent consisting of three isomers: ortho-, meta-, and para-xylene. It is widely utilized in various industries for its excellent solvency, chemical stability, and moderate evaporation rate. Xylene serves as a key raw material in chemical manufacturing and an effective solvent in coatings, adhesives, inks, and cleaning applications.

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