N-Butyl Acetate

Product Overview

N-Butyl Acetate is an organic solvent with the chemical formula C₄H₈O₂ and a characteristic fruity odor. In technical grade, it offers excellent solvency across a range of resin and polymer systems with relatively low toxicity and a moderate evaporation rate. The product appears as a colorless liquid with a boiling range of 126-128°C and a flash point of 11°C, enabling predictable performance in industrial coating, adhesive, and cleaning formulations. Its density at 25°C is approximately 0.882 g/mL and the vapor pressure at 20°C is about 15 mmHg, contributing to its balance between volatility and solvency in multi-component solvent blends. Because of its favorable solubility in organic media and limited water miscibility, N-Butyl Acetate is widely used where fast drying and clean film formation are required, while maintaining compatibility with a broad range of binders and pigments.

In addition to its primary role as a solvent, N-Butyl Acetate serves as an intermediate in organic synthesis and as a component in cleaning formulations where dissolution of oils and greases is needed. The product is supplied in technical grade with rigorous verification of basic purity and impurity profiles, supporting consistent batch-to-batch performance in manufacturing environments. Appropriate handling, storage, and adherence to safety data standards are essential to maximize both product quality and operator safety.

Key Properties

• Property Name: Chemical Formula C₄H₈O₂
• Chemical Formula: C₄H₈O₂
• Molecular Weight: 116.16 g/mol
• Boiling Point: 126-128°C
• Specific Gravity: 0.872-0.88 (typical 0.875) at 20°C
• Density (25°C): 0.882 g/mL
• Vapor Pressure (20°C): 15 mmHg
• Flash Point: 11°C (52°F)
• Odor: Fruity, sweet odor
• Appearance: Colorless liquid
• Solubility: Soluble in organic solvents; slightly soluble in water
• Refractive Index (20°C): 1.396
• Residue After Evaporation (RRE): ≤ 0.05% (typical 0.02%)
• Water Content: ≤ 0.05% (typical 0.02%)

Common Applications

• Application Category: Solvent for Paints – Used in formulation of paints and coatings for effective solvency and a controlled evaporation profile, enabling smooth film formation and consistent drying behavior.
• Application Category: Adhesive Component – Serves as a solvent in adhesives, improving substrate wetting and bond development for diverse material systems.
• Application Category: Extraction Solvent – Employed in extraction workflows to isolate active pharmaceutical ingredients from plant matrices due to favorable selectivity and partitioning characteristics.
• Application Category: Cleaning Agent – Formulated in cleaning products to dissolve oils, greases, and resins, supporting effective degreasing in industrial equipment and components.
• Application Category: Intermediate in Organic Synthesis – Acts as a building block in the synthesis of various organic compounds, including functionalized esters and related derivatives.

Safety Precautions

Careful handling and storage are required to minimize exposure and maintain product integrity. Store in a cool, well-ventilated area away from heat sources, with containers made of HDPE or glass to prevent unwanted reactions. Keep away from strong oxidizers and acids, and ensure proper personal protective equipment (PPE) including gloves and goggles during handling. Protect from light exposure to prevent degradation. Maintain container integrity and shield from ignition sources due to flammable liquid and vapor hazards, and follow the SDS recommendations for spill response and ventilation.

Emergency considerations include having appropriate fire suppression measures available (class B fire extinguishers or CO2), maintaining eye wash facilities, and ensuring that in case of exposure, affected individuals receive prompt medical evaluation. The product is assigned a DANGER signal word due to flammability and irritation potential; follow standard operating procedures for handling, storage, and transport (UN 1123, Butyl Acetate, Class 3, Packing Group II). For spills, evacuate personnel, ventilate the area, and contain using approved absorbents, then dispose of in accordance with local regulations. Refer to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for complete hazard statements and first-aid measures.

Benefits

✔ Reliable Solvent Performance – Consistent solvency and evaporation rate support predictable formulation outcomes across paints, coatings, and adhesives.
✔ Quality-Driven Specifications – Technical grade with strict impurity limits (heavy metals, chlorides, sulfates, arsenic) and low water content to ensure purity and process stability.