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
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.
Chloroform
Chloroform (Trichloromethane) is a clear, colorless, volatile liquid with a sweet, pleasant odor. It is a widely used organic solvent with excellent solvency for many substances. Historically employed as an anesthetic, chloroform is now primarily used in laboratories and industry for extraction, degreasing, and chemical synthesis. It has moderate volatility and is heavier than air, requiring careful handling to avoid inhalation hazards. Its chemical stability and ability to dissolve fats, alkaloids, and other substances make it valuable in pharmaceutical, chemical, and industrial processes.
Cyclohexanone
Cyclohexanone is a clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid with a sharp, sweet, acetone-like odor. It is a cyclic ketone with the molecular formula C₆H₁₀O and a moderately high boiling point. Cyclohexanone is a key intermediate in the chemical industry, primarily used in the manufacture of nylon, pharmaceuticals, and agrochemicals. Its excellent solvency and chemical reactivity make it valuable for a wide range of industrial applications, including solvent use and chemical synthesis.
N-Propanol
N-Propanol, also known as n-Propyl Alcohol or 1-Propanol, is a clear, colorless, low-viscosity liquid with a characteristic mild alcohol-like odor. It is a primary alcohol with the molecular formula C₃H₈O, fully miscible with water and common organic solvents such as alcohols, ketones, ethers, glycols, and hydrocarbons. This high-purity, semi-volatile, polar solvent serves as both a versatile solvent and a chemical intermediate across multiple industrial sectors. N-Propanol has a flash point of 15–23°C and is classified as a highly flammable liquid. Technical grade N-Propanol is manufactured for industrial applications and is not intended for direct human consumption unless specifically certified as USP or Food Grade.
Normal Butanol
Normal Butanol is a straight-chain primary alcohol with the chemical formula C4H10O. It is a colorless, flammable liquid with a characteristic alcoholic odor. Known for its good solvent properties and moderate evaporation rate, n-Butanol is widely used in industrial applications such as solvents for paints, coatings, adhesives, and as an intermediate in chemical synthesis.
Solvent Naphtha
Solvent Naphtha is a flammable, volatile hydrocarbon mixture derived from petroleum distillation. Characterized by its sharp, petroleum-like odor, it is a clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid. It is a versatile industrial solvent prized for its ability to dissolve oils, fats, resins, and rubber. Its balanced evaporation rate and strong solvency make it a key component in formulations requiring a powerful yet controllable solvent.
Special Boiling Point
Special Boiling Point is a specialized solvent fraction characterized by a boiling range between 40°C and 60°C. It is commonly used in industries requiring solvents with low boiling points for rapid evaporation and efficient solvent action. This grade is valued for its ability to dissolve a wide range of organic compounds and is widely applied in coatings, cleaning agents, chemical synthesis, and extraction processes where controlled volatility is critical for process performance.
Toluene
Toluene is a clear, colorless aromatic hydrocarbon solvent with a distinct sweet odor. It is widely used as an industrial solvent and chemical feedstock due to its excellent solvency, volatility, and chemical stability. Toluene plays a critical role in the production of paints, coatings, adhesives, rubber, and various chemicals. It is also used as a fuel additive and in the manufacture of explosives and pharmaceuticals. Its versatility makes it a cornerstone in multiple industrial sectors.

Preservatives(food)
Flavor Enhancers
Acidulants
Sweeteners
Antioxidants
Colorants(food)
Nutraceutical Ingredients (food)
Nutrient Supplements
Emulsifiers
Collectors
Dust Suppressants
Explosives and Blasting Agents
Flocculants and Coagulants
Frothers
Leaching Agents
pH Modifiers
Precious Metal Extraction Agents
Antioxidants(plastic)
Colorants (Pigments, Dyes)
Fillers and Reinforcements
Flame Retardants
Monomers
Plasticizers
Polymerization Initiators
Stabilizers (UV, Heat)
Antifoaming Agents
Chelating Agents
Coagulants and Flocculants
Corrosion Inhibitors
Disinfectants and Biocides
Oxidizing Agents
pH Adjusters
Scale Inhibitors( water)
Antioxidants(cosmetic)
Emollients
Fragrances and Essential Oils
Humectants
Preservatives
Surfactants(cosmetic)
Thickeners
UV Filters
Fertilizers
Soil Conditioners
Plant Growth Regulators
Animal Feed Additives
Biostimulants
Pesticides (Herbicides, Insecticides, Fungicides)
Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs)
Excipients
Solvents(pharmaceutical)
Antibiotics
Antiseptics and Disinfectants
Vaccine Adjuvants
Nutraceutical Ingredients (pharmaceutical)
Analgesics & Antipyretics
Analytical Reagents
Solvents(lab)
Chromatography Chemicals
Spectroscopy Reagents
microbiology-and-cell-culture-reagents
Molecular Biology Reagents
Biochemical Reagents
Inorganic and Organic Standards
Laboratory Safety Chemicals
Specialty Laboratory Chemicals(Special Laboratory Equipment)
Demulsifiers
Hydraulic Fracturing Fluids
Scale Inhibitors(oil)
Surfactants(oil)
Drilling Fluids
Dyes and Pigments
Bleaching Agents
Softening Agents
Finishing Agents
Antistatic Agents
Admixtures
Waterproofing Agents
Sealants and Adhesives
Curing Compounds
Concrete Repair Chemicals
Anti-Corrosion Coatings
Surfactants(cleaning)
Builders
Enzymes
Solvents (Cleaning)
Fragrances
Electronic Chemicals
Catalysts
Lubricants
Photographic Chemicals
Refrigerants
Automotive chemicals
Pyrotechnic Chemicals
Biodegradable Surfactants
Bio-based Solvents
Renewable Polymers
Carbon Capture Chemicals
Wastewater Treatment Chemicals
Pigments
Solvents(paint)
Specialty Coatings
Binders/Resins
Additives
Driers
Anti-Corrosion Agents
Functional Coatings
Application-Specific Coatings
Leavening Agents
Dough Conditioners
Flour Treatments
Fat Replacers
Decoratives
Preservatives(baking)
Plasticizers & Softeners
Reinforcing Agents
Adhesion Promoters
Vulcanizing Agents
Antidegradants
Blowing Agents
Fillers & Extenders
Accelerators & Retarders