1-Butanol, also known as butan-1-ol or n-butanol, is a primary alcohol with the chemical formula C4H9OH and a linear structure. Isomers of 1-butanol are isobutanol, butan-2-ol and tert-butanol. The unmodified term butanol usually refers to the straight chain isomer.
What are the properties of n-Butanol?
N-Butanol is an important organic compound with the chemical formula C₄H₁₀O, classified as a saturated monohydric alcohol. It exhibits the following characteristics:
n-Butanol Physical Properties
N-Butanol is a colorless, transparent liquid with an odor similar to alcohol. Its density is 0.81 g/cm³, boiling point is 117.7°C, and melting point is -89.5°C. n-Butanol exhibits good volatility and water solubility. Its molecular structure contains a hydroxyl group (-OH), imparting polarity that allows miscibility with various polar and nonpolar solvents.
N-Butanol Chemical Properties
The chemical properties of n-butanol are similar to other alcohols, exhibiting the following characteristics:
- Oxidation Reactions: Under the influence of catalysts or elevated temperatures, n-butanol can be oxidized to n-butyraldehyde or butyric acid.
- Esterification Reactions: It reacts with acids to form ester compounds, such as reacting with acetic acid to produce butyl acetate, a common solvent.
- Dehydration Reaction: Under acid catalysis, n-butanol undergoes dehydration to form butene.
- Substitution Reaction: The hydroxyl group can be substituted by halogens or other functional groups.
What is n-Butanol used for?
- Solvent: 1-Butanol serves as a vital solvent in industries such as coatings, paints, inks, and cleaning agents. It enhances the dispersion and flow properties of coatings while improving the gloss and abrasion resistance of the finished film.
- Chemical Intermediate: Used to manufacture various chemicals, including organic compounds such as esters, ethers, and ketones. For example, n-butanol reacts with organic acids to form esters, widely applied in plastics, resins, and fragrance industries.
- Biofuel: Recognized as a potential biofuel due to its high energy density, high octane rating, and excellent miscibility with gasoline, n-butanol can be directly used in existing internal combustion engines.
- Fragrances and Flavors: Serves as a solvent and diluent in the fragrance and flavor industry, aiding in the extraction and stabilization of aromatic compounds.
- Pharmaceutical Manufacturing: N-Butanol is employed in drug extraction, purification, and crystallization processes, and also serves as a reaction solvent for synthesizing certain pharmaceuticals.
What are the storage conditions for n-Butanol?
Storage containers should be made of corrosion-resistant materials and sealed tightly to prevent evaporation and leakage. Generally, glass or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) containers are suitable choices.
All containers must bear clear labels indicating warnings such as "Flammable" and "Hazardous Material" to ensure users can identify them promptly.
n-Butanol should be stored in a cool, dry place, away from sources of ignition and oxidizing agents.
Why Choose Gneebio as Your Supplier?
As a 1-butanol (CAS 71-36-3) manufacturer, Gneebio focuses on product consistency, industrial applicability, and bulk supply reliability. The company operates under strict quality management systems to ensure that cyclohexanone meets the requirements of large-scale and continuous production environments.
Key manufacturing and supply strengths include:
- Controlled purity grades suitable for industrial and synthetic applications
- Stable batch-to-batch quality for long-term procurement
- Bulk supply capability to support contract and spot orders
- Export-ready packaging and documentation (COA, SDS, etc.)
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