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.
Butyl Acetate
Butyl Acetate is a clear, colorless liquid with a characteristic pleasant fruity odor similar to pears or bananas. It is an ester formed from butanol and acetic acid. Due to its excellent solvent properties, moderate evaporation rate, and relatively low toxicity, it is widely used in industrial, pharmaceutical, food flavoring, and cosmetic applications. It dissolves many resins and polymers and is prized for improving flow and finish in coatings and inks.
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.
Engine Cleaner
Engine Cleaner (also known as Engine Degreaser) is a heavy-duty, solvent-based or aqueous-based chemical formulation designed to dissolve, emulsify, and remove stubborn petroleum-based contaminants from mechanical assemblies. Its primary function is to cut through and lift accumulated engine oil, grease, grime, carbon deposits, and road tar from internal combustion engines, machinery parts, and automotive components. Technical-grade engine cleaner is engineered for industrial, automotive repair, and fleet maintenance applications. It is not intended for use on active electronic components, certain plastics, or as a general-purpose household cleaner due to its potent chemical strength and potential corrosivity.
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.
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.
Trichloroethylene
Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a clear, non-flammable chlorinated solvent with a sweet, chloroform-like odor. It is widely used as an industrial solvent for degreasing and cleaning metal parts, thanks to its excellent ability to dissolve oils, greases, and waxes. Trichloroethylene is also used as a chemical intermediate and in the manufacture of adhesives, paints, and coatings. Its volatility and solvency make it essential in many manufacturing and maintenance processes, although use is regulated due to environmental and health concerns.
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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