Chemical laboratory

N-Butyl Acetate

Industrial-Grade Solvent for Coatings and Adhesives

  • CAS 123-86-4
  • Formula C₆H₁₂O₂
  • Flash Pt 36 °C
  • Density 0.882 g/cm³
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Physical & Chemical Properties

Property Value Unit
Boiling point 126.1 °C °C
Flash point 36 °C °C
Density 0.882 g/cm³ g/cm³
Solubility 0.7 g/100 mL at 20 °C -
Ph N/A -
Molecular weight 116.16 g/mol g/mol
Melting point -77.9 °C °C
Vapor pressure 10 mmHg at 20 °C mmHg
Autoignition temp 405 °C -
Appearance Clear, colorless liquid -
Odor Sweet, fruity -
Vapor density 4.0 (air = 1) g/cm³

Overview

N-Butyl Acetate (CAS 123-86-4) is a clear, colorless liquid with a characteristic sweet, fruity odor. This versatile ester compound with the molecular formula C₆H₁₂O₂ serves as an essential industrial solvent across multiple manufacturing sectors. With its excellent solvency properties and moderate evaporation rate, N-Butyl Acetate offers superior performance in applications requiring controlled drying times and high-quality surface finishes.

Key Applications

N-Butyl Acetate demonstrates exceptional versatility as an industrial solvent, making it indispensable in several key industries:

  • Coatings and Paints: Provides excellent flow properties and leveling characteristics in automotive finishes, industrial coatings, and architectural paints. Its moderate evaporation rate allows for proper film formation while preventing defects such as orange peel or solvent popping.
  • Printing Inks: Functions as a primary solvent in flexographic and gravure inks, delivering consistent viscosity control and superior print quality. Its compatibility with various resins makes it ideal for packaging and publication applications.
  • Adhesives and Sealants: Serves as a solvent in pressure-sensitive adhesives, contact cements, and construction adhesives, providing optimal viscosity and application properties while ensuring strong bond formation.
  • Chemical Processing: Acts as an extraction solvent in pharmaceutical manufacturing and as a chemical intermediate in the production of other specialty chemicals.

Safety & Handling

N-Butyl Acetate requires careful handling due to its flammable nature, with a flash point of 36°C (97°F). Always ensure adequate ventilation when working with this solvent, as its vapor density of 4.0 means vapors are heavier than air and can accumulate in low-lying areas. Personal protective equipment should include chemical-resistant gloves, safety glasses, and appropriate respiratory protection when vapor concentrations exceed permissible limits. Keep away from heat sources, sparks, and open flames, and maintain grounding procedures during transfer operations to prevent static discharge.

Storage & Shelf Life

Store N-Butyl Acetate in cool, dry, well-ventilated areas away from incompatible materials such as strong oxidizing agents, acids, and alkalis. Use only approved containers constructed of compatible materials such as carbon steel or stainless steel. Maintain storage temperatures below 25°C (77°F) to minimize evaporation losses and preserve product quality. When stored properly in original, unopened containers, N-Butyl Acetate maintains its specifications for up to two years from the date of manufacture.

Why Alliance Chemical

Alliance Chemical provides reliable access to high-quality N Butyl Acetate from our strategically located facility in Taylor, Texas. We offer same-day shipping via UPS for smaller quantities, while LTL and FTL options ensure cost-effective delivery for bulk orders throughout the continental United States. Every shipment includes comprehensive Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and Certificates of Analysis (COA) to support your quality assurance requirements and regulatory compliance needs.

Shipping & Availability

Parcel Shipping

UPS Ground supports pints, quarts, and most 1-gallon packages nationwide.

LTL Freight

5-gallon pails, drums, and totes move via LTL carriers such as ABF Freight, SEFL, Saia, and XPO.

Full Truckload

FTL available for palletized bulk orders. Competitive freight rates.

Local Pickup

Same-day pickup at our Taylor, TX warehouse for Texas customers.

SDS, COA, and TDS available for every product • Same-day shipping on orders by Mon-Thu 1 PM CT / Fri 12 PM CT

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Available Sizes

N-Butyl Acetate - 1 Quart

1 Quart

$28.00

 N-Butyl Acetate - 1 Gallon

1 Gallon

$58.00

 N-Butyl Acetate - 5 Gallon Pail

5 Gallon Pail

$270.00

 N-Butyl Acetate - 15 Gallon Drum

15 Gallon Drum

$770.00

 N-Butyl Acetate - 55 Gallon Drum

55 Gallon Drum

$2,550.00

 N-Butyl Acetate - 275 Gallon IBC Tote

275 Gallon IBC Tote

$11,500.00

 N-Butyl Acetate - 330 Gallon IBC Tote

330 Gallon IBC Tote

$13,200.00
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is n-butyl acetate (CAS 123-86-4) and what is it used for?
n-Butyl acetate (CAS 123-86-4, formula C6H12O2) is a colorless, flammable solvent with a fruity odor used broadly as a solvent and intermediate. Common uses include coatings, inks, adhesives, extraction processes, and general laboratory solvent applications.
How should n-butyl acetate be stored and what is its typical shelf life?
Store n-butyl acetate in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from ignition sources in tightly closed containers; keep away from strong oxidizers. When stored sealed under recommended conditions, typical shelf life for industrial grades is about 12–24 months, but check the supplier COA for exact expiry information.
What are the key safety and handling precautions for n-butyl acetate?
n-Butyl acetate is flammable and can cause eye and respiratory irritation; use in well-ventilated areas, eliminate ignition sources, and wear appropriate PPE (gloves, goggles, and respiratory protection if needed). Always consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for exposure limits, first-aid measures, and emergency response procedures.
How do different concentrations or grades of n-butyl acetate affect performance?
Higher-purity grades (e.g., ≥99%) offer lower water and impurity content for analytical or pharmaceutical uses, while technical grades are acceptable for many industrial processes and coatings. Concentration and purity influence solvency power, drying rate, odor, and compatibility with formulations, so select grade based on application requirements.
What documentation can I request when buying n-butyl acetate?
Suppliers typically provide a Safety Data Sheet (SDS), Certificate of Analysis (COA), and Technical Data Sheet (TDS); additional documents such as VOC statements, REACH/TSCA declarations or batch-specific test reports may be available on request. Always review the COA for lot-specific purity and water content before use.
How is n-butyl acetate shipped and what packaging options are available?
n-Butyl acetate is shipped as a flammable liquid under applicable transport regulations (air, sea, road) and is commonly packaged in steel drums, intermediate bulk containers (IBCs), and smaller metal or plastic cans. Packaging choice depends on volume, grade, and regulatory requirements; specify hazardous goods labeling and documentation when ordering.
Which materials are compatible with n-butyl acetate and which should be avoided?
n-Butyl acetate is generally compatible with stainless steel, carbon steel, and glass; some polyethylene and polypropylene containers are also suitable for short- to medium-term storage. Avoid long-term contact with certain elastomers and coatings that can swell or degrade (test elastomers, gaskets and plastics for compatibility), and keep it away from strong oxidizers.
What are the typical technical specifications for n-butyl acetate?
Typical specifications include CAS 123-86-4, formula C6H12O2, appearance: colorless liquid with a fruity odor, and common purity grades ranging from technical (≈95%–99%) to high-purity (≥99.5%) for analytical uses; water content is commonly ≤0.2% for solvent grades. For exact values (boiling point, density, refractive index, impurity limits) consult the supplier TDS and COA for the specific grade and batch.
What industries and applications commonly use n-butyl acetate?
n-Butyl acetate is widely used in paints and coatings, printing inks, adhesives, cleaning agents, extraction processes, and as a laboratory solvent. It is chosen for its good solvency for resins and polymers and moderate evaporation rate useful in formulation work.
How can I purchase n-butyl acetate and what availability should I expect?
n-Butyl acetate is available from chemical suppliers in a range of grades (industrial, solvent, reagent, HPLC) and package sizes from drums/IBCs to liters; lead times are typically short but depend on grade and order size. Request an SDS, COA and pricing from suppliers, and confirm minimum order quantities, shipping options, and any regulatory or import requirements.

Documentation & Downloads

Safety Data Sheet
SDS / MSDS
Request COA
Certificate of Analysis
Technical Data Sheet (TDS)
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