N Butanol
N Butanol is a clear, mobile solvent with a characteristic odour similar to banana. It is flammable and has medium volatility. It is miscible with common solvents such as alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, ethers, glycols and aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons but has only limited miscibility in water.
Synonyms: CAS No. 71-36-3, Normal butanol, Butyl hydroxide, 1-Hydroxybutane, Butanol, n-Butyl alcohol, Propyl carbinol, Propylmethanol, 1-Butanol, Butyl alcohol, Butyric alcohol, Propylcarbinol, Methylolpropane
Applications of N Butanol
N Butanol is used as a solvent, as an ingredient in various formulations such as cosmetics and as a starting material to produce other chemicals.
N Butanol is primarily used in the coatings industry where it is widely used as a diluent in cellulose nitrate lacquers as it improves their flow, gloss and resistance to blushing. It is suitable for use as a solvent for acid-curable lacquers and baking finishes derived from urea, melamine, or phenolic resins, where it is mainly used together with glycol ethers or ethanol.
It has a number of other applications including:
- a solvent for dyes in printing inks and other products
- as an additive in polishes, cleaners and stain removers
- as a swelling agent for textiles
- as an extractant in the production of drugs, antibiotics, hormones, vitamins, alkaloids and camphor
- as a solubilizer in the textile industry, for example as an additive in spinning baths or a carrier for colouring plastics
- as an additive in de-icing fluids and gasoline (to prevent carburettor icing)
- in paper and thin-layer chromatography
- as a humectant for cellulose nitrate
- as a feedstock for the production of glycol ethers
- as a starting material for various butyl monocarboxylates which are widely used as solvents
- as a feedstock for the production of flotation aids
Storage and Handling
N butanol is highly flammable; keep away from excessive heat and sources of ignition. N butanol is mildy irritating to the skin and eyes. Excessive inhalation of the vapour or mist may cause irritation to the respiratory system and depress the central nervous system. Appropriate precautions including adequate ventilation, grounding and bonding procedures and the wearing of the necessary personal protective equipment such as protective gloves and clothing, eye and face protection should be observed.
N butanol should be stored below 40°C away from strong acids and oxidants, halogens, aluminium, acid chlorides, acid anhydrides, copper and copper alloys. In these conditions, it can be expected to remain stable and have a storage life of at least one year.
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