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-butanol, 2-butanol, and tert-butanol, all of which are important industrially