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  • Iso-butyl alcohol

Iso-butyl alcohol

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    Specialty Chemicals

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Product Profile

1. Chemical Structure and Properties

Molecular Formula: C₄H₁₀O
      Structural Formula:
      CH₃-CH(CH₃)-CH₂-OH
      A branched primary alcohol with a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to a tertiary carbon.

Physical Properties:
     Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid with a characteristic alcoholic odor.
     Boiling Point: 107–108°C; Density: 0.802 g/cm³; Vapor Pressure: 1.2 kPa at 20°C.
     Solubility: Partially soluble in water (8.7% w/w at 25°C); fully miscible with ethanol, ether, and hydrocarbons.

Chemical Properties:
     Reactivity: Undergoes esterification, oxidation (to isobutyric acid), and dehydration (to form alkenes).
     Flammability: Flammable (flash point: 28°C; autoignition temperature: 415°C).
     Stability: Stable under normal conditions but reacts with strong oxidizers.

2. Industrial Applications

Solvents & Coatings:
     Resin Solvent: Dissolves nitrocellulose, acrylics, and alkyd resins in paints and coatings.
     Ink Formulations: Enhances drying speed and adhesion in printing inks.

Chemical Synthesis:
     Intermediate: Produces isobutyl acetate (used in flavors), plasticizers, and surfactants.

Pharmaceuticals:
     Extraction Agent: Isolates alkaloids and antibiotics in drug manufacturing.

Personal Care:
     Cosmetic Ingredient: Solvent in perfumes, lotions, and nail polish removers.

3. Safety and Toxicology

Acute Exposure:
     Inhalation (≥400 ppm): Irritates respiratory tract; causes dizziness (TLV-TWA: 50 ppm).
     Skin Contact: Causes irritation and defatting (rabbit skin LD₅₀: >2,000 mg/kg).
     Ingestion: Moderately toxic (oral LD₅₀ rat: 2,460 mg/kg); CNS depression and gastrointestinal distress.

Chronic Effects:
     Neurotoxicity: Prolonged exposure linked to headaches and peripheral neuropathy.
     Carcinogenicity: Not classified by IARC or NTP; no evidence of mutagenicity (Ames test negative).

Protection Measures:
     PPE: Nitrile gloves, vapor respirators, and explosion-proof ventilation.
     Storage: Store in flame-resistant containers away from oxidizers and heat sources.

4. Environmental and Regulatory Compliance

Environmental Impact:
     Biodegradability: Rapid (OECD 301F: >90% degradation in 28 days).
     Aquatic Toxicity: LC₅₀ (fish, 96h): 500–1,000 mg/L; EC₅₀ (daphnia, 48h): 300–600 mg/L.
     VOC Status: Classified as a volatile organic compound (VOC) in the EU and USA.

Regulatory Frameworks:
     EU:
     REACH: Registered (EC 201-148-0); CLP classified as Flam. Liq. 2 (H225).
     USA:
     EPA: Regulated under TSCA; listed as a VOC under Clean Air Act.
     OSHA: PEL: 50 ppm (8-hour TWA).
     China:
     GB 13690-2009: Classified as Hazardous Chemical (Class 3.2).

Waste Management:
     Incinerate in licensed facilities with VOC abatement; landfill disposal prohibited.

5. Case Studies and Application Insights

Case 1: Eco-Friendly Paints (Sherwin-Williams, 2023):
     Challenge: Reduce VOC emissions in architectural coatings.
     Solution: Replaced 15% of petroleum-based solvents with iso-butyl alcohol in waterborne paints.
     Result: Achieved 20% lower VOC emissions (ASTM D6886) and maintained scrub resistance (ASTM D2486).

Case 2: Sustainable Perfume Production (Givaudan, 2022):
     Process: Used iso-butyl alcohol as a solvent in bio-based fragrance extraction.
     Impact: Reduced synthetic solvent use by 30% and met IFRA sustainability standards.

Comparative Analysis:
     Iso-Butyl Alcohol vs. n-Butyl Alcohol:
     Pros: Lower toxicity (higher LD₅₀); better solvency for non-polar resins.
     Cons: Higher flammability (flash point 28°C vs. 35°C).
     Iso-Butyl Alcohol vs. Ethanol:
     Pros: Slower evaporation rate (better for spray applications); lower hygroscopicity.
     Cons: Ethanol is less toxic but less effective in dissolving hydrophobic compounds.

Specifications:
Isobutanol (
IUPAC nomenclature: 2-methylpropan-1-ol) is an organic compound with the formula (CH3)2CHCH2OH (sometimes represented as i-BuOH). This colorless, flammable liquid with a characteristic smell is mainly used as a solvent either directly or as its esters. Its isomers are 1-butanol2-butanol, and tert-butanol, all of which are important industrially


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