N-Butanol, also known as n-Butyl Alcohol, 1-Butanol and Butan-1-ol, is one of the most important industrial alcohols and organic solvents in the petrochemical, paint and resin, adhesive, industrial coatings, pharmaceutical and chemical industries. It is available as a clear, colorless liquid with a mild alcoholic odor, with the molecular formula C4H10O and CAS number 71-36-3.
This alcohol has become an important product in the petrochemical industry due to its solvency, balanced evaporation rate, compatibility with various resins, and ability to serve as a raw material for valuable chemical derivatives. It is used in many downstream industries as a raw material or specialized solvent. Explore other industrial chemicals supplied by Aasad Chimie.
N-Butanol at a Glance
N-Butanol is a four-carbon alcohol with the chemical formula C4H10O. It is widely used in paints, resins, adhesives, plasticizers, butyl esters, chemical intermediates, and selected pharmaceutical processes.
What Is N-Butanol?
N-Butanol is a primary alcohol produced through petrochemical processes such as propylene hydroformylation followed by butyraldehyde hydrogenation. Its molecular structure provides a useful balance of solvency, boiling point, and evaporation rate for many industrial formulations.
In addition to its direct use as a solvent, this compound is a raw material for producing important chemicals such as butyl acetate, butyl acrylate, glycol ethers, plasticizers, and industrial additives. For a related solvent, see Normal Butyl Acetate.
N-Butanol Specifications
| Specification | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Product Name | N-Butanol |
| Chemical Name | Butan-1-ol |
| Alternative Name | n-Butyl Alcohol |
| CAS Number | 71-36-3 |
| Molecular Formula | C4H10O |
| Molecular Weight | 74.12 g/mol |
| Appearance | Clear, colorless liquid |
| Purity | 99.0% minimum, subject to supplier specification |
| Density at 20°C | Approximately 0.81 g/cm³ |
| Boiling Point | Approximately 117.7°C |
| Melting Point | Approximately -89.8°C |
| Flash Point | Approximately 35°C; test method may affect the reported value |
| Solubility in Water | Limited |
Key Properties of N-Butanol
- Useful solvency for selected resins and polymers
- Moderate evaporation rate compared with more volatile solvents
- Good chemical stability under appropriate storage conditions
- Compatibility with various industrial formulations
- Use as a feedstock for valuable chemical derivatives
- Suitable performance in selected paint and coating applications
- Availability in industrial grades with defined specifications
- Wide use across downstream petrochemical industries
N-Butanol Applications
Paint and Coatings Industry
One of the major application areas for this alcohol is industrial paints and coatings. It can be used as a solvent or formulation component in building paints, metal coatings, automotive paints, and protective coatings.
- Industrial paints
- Protective coatings
- Automotive paints
- Lacquers and varnishes
Butyl Acetate Production
N-Butanol is an important raw material in the production of butyl acetate, an industrial solvent used in paints, printing inks, and coatings. Learn more about Normal Butyl Acetate and its industrial applications.
Butyl Acrylate Production
Butyl acrylate is an important monomer in the polymer industry. It is used to manufacture adhesives, coatings, acrylic resins, and other polymeric materials. N-Butanol serves as a feedstock in its production.
Adhesive and Resin Industry
This alcohol is used as a solvent or intermediate in the formulation of various industrial adhesives, alkyd resins, and specialty resins. Its suitability depends on resin compatibility and the required drying characteristics.
Plasticizer Production
Various plasticizers and related chemical products can be manufactured using derivatives of n-butanol. These products are used in polymer formulations to provide properties such as flexibility and processability.
Pharmaceutical and Chemical Industries
N-Butanol is used as a solvent or raw material in selected chemical synthesis, extraction, and intermediate-production processes. Pharmaceutical applications require appropriate purity and compliance with relevant specifications.
Benefits of Using N-Butanol
- Supports formulation of selected industrial coatings
- Helps control solvent evaporation in suitable formulations
- Compatibility with a range of resins
- Use in the production of higher-value chemical derivatives
- Utility in a variety of industrial chemical processes
- Availability in different commercial specifications
Global Market for N-Butanol
Global demand for n-butanol is influenced by the paint, construction, automotive, plastics, and petrochemical industries. China, India, the United States, Germany, South Korea, and Japan are among the major chemical production and consumption markets.
Demand for resins, adhesives, industrial coatings, and polymeric materials contributes to its role in the petrochemical value chain. Buyers should compare specifications, supply availability, transportation costs, and local regulatory requirements when selecting a grade.
Packaging and Storage
- Metal drums, often around 170–200 kg depending on supplier specifications
- Intermediate bulk containers (IBCs), where suitable
- Bulk chemical tankers designed for chemical transport
- Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated environment
- Keep away from heat, sparks, and open flames
- Follow the supplier’s Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and applicable handling requirements
International Sources and References
- PubChem – 1-Butanol
- European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- NIOSH – Occupational Safety Resources
- Chemical Safety Facts
- American Chemical Society (ACS)
Explore Industrial Chemicals
For information about available chemical products and related industrial solvents, visit the Aasad Chimie product catalog. For availability, technical specifications, and purchasing inquiries, contact the Aasad Chimie team.
What is N-Butanol?
N-Butanol, also known as n-Butyl Alcohol or Butan-1-ol, is a primary alcohol with the chemical formula C₄H₁₀O and CAS number 71-36-3. It is widely used as an industrial solvent and as a raw material for chemical production.
What are the main industrial applications of N-Butanol?
N-Butanol is used in paints, coatings, adhesives, resins, plasticizer production, chemical intermediates, and the manufacture of derivatives such as butyl acetate and butyl acrylate.
What is the chemical formula of N-Butanol?
Its molecular formula is C₄H₁₀O, and its molecular weight is approximately 74.12 g/mol.
What are the physical properties of N-Butanol?
N-Butanol is a clear, colorless liquid with a mild alcoholic odor. Its boiling point is approximately 117.7°C, and its density is around 0.81 g/cm³ at 20°C.
Why is N-Butanol used in paints and coatings?
Its solvency and moderate evaporation rate make it useful in selected coating formulations. It can help control drying behavior and improve compatibility with certain resins.
What is the role of N-Butanol in butyl acetate production?
N-Butanol reacts with acetic acid to produce butyl acetate through an esterification process. Butyl acetate is widely used as a solvent in paints, coatings, and printing inks.
Is N-Butanol soluble in water?
N-Butanol has limited solubility in water. It is more commonly used as an organic solvent in suitable industrial formulations.
Is N-Butanol flammable?
Yes. N-Butanol is a combustible liquid. It should be kept away from ignition sources and stored according to the supplier's Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and applicable safety regulations.
How should N-Butanol be stored?
Store it in tightly closed, compatible containers in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Protect it from excessive heat and ignition sources, and follow the supplier's handling and storage instructions.
What should buyers check when purchasing N-Butanol?
Buyers should check purity, moisture content, acidity, relevant impurity limits, packaging, batch consistency, and the supplier's Certificate of Analysis (CoA) and Safety Data Sheet (SDS).