Hazard
Moderate fire and explosion risk. Toxic by
ingestion, inhalation, and skin absorption.
Potential Exposure
(n-isomer); Suspected reprotoxic hazard,
Primary irritant (w/o allergic reaction), (iso-, primary):
Possible risk of forming tumors, Primary irritant (w/o allergic
reaction), (sec-, active primary-, and other isomers)
Primary irritant (w/o allergic reaction). Used as a solvent in
organic synthesis and synthetic flavoring, pharmaceuticals,
corrosion inhibitors; making plastics and other chemicals;
as a flotation agent. The (n-isomer) is used in preparation
of oil additives, plasticizers, synthetic lubricants, and as a
solvent.
First aid
Skin contact contributes significantly to overall
exposure. If this chemical gets into the eyes, remove any
contact lenses at once and irrigate immediately for at least
15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek
medical attention immediately. If this chemical contacts the
skin, remove contaminated clothing and wash immediately
with soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately.
If this chemical has been inhaled, remove from exposure,
begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions, including
resuscitation mask) if breathing has stopped and CPR if
heart action has stopped. Transfer promptly to a medical
facility. When this chemical has been swallowed, get medical
attention. Give large quantities of water and induce
vomiting. Do not make an unconscious person vomit.
Shipping
UN2811 Pentanols, Hazard Class: 3; Labels: 3-
Flammable liquid. UN1987 Alcohols, n.o.s., Hazard Class:
3; Labels: 3-Flammable liquid.
Incompatibilities
Forms an explosive mixture with air.
Contact with strong oxidizers and hydrogen trisulfide may
cause fire and explosions. Incompatible with strong acids.
Violent reaction with alkaline earth metals forming hydrogen,
a flammable gas.
Chemical Properties
(+/–)2-Methyl-1-butanol has a cooked, roasted aroma with fruity or alcoholic undernotes.
Chemical Properties
Amyl alcohols (pentanols) have eight isomers.
All are flammable, colorless liquids, except the isomer 2,2-
dimethyl-1-propanol, which is a crystalline solid.
Chemical Properties
clear colorless to very slighlty yellow liquid
Waste Disposal
Dissolve or mix the material
with a combustible solvent and burn in a chemical incinerator
equipped with an afterburner and scrubber. All federal,
state, and local environmental regulations must be
observed.
Occurrence
Reportedly present in over 120 natural food products, including apple, apricot, banana, orange, bilberry, black
currant, cranberry, papaya, strawberry, tomato and alcoholic beverages
Preparation
Prepared from hydroboration of 2-methyl-1-butene. (–)2-Methyl-1-butanol is isolated by fractional distillation of
fusel oil
Production Methods
2-methyl-1-butanol are refined from ethanol production as
fusel oil. Isoamyl alcohols are used as solvents
for oils, fats, resins, and waxes; in the plastics industry in
spinning polyacrylonitrile; and in manufacturing lacquers,
chemicals, and pharmaceuticals.
Aroma threshold values
Odor threshold in air: detection at 0.14 mg/m3; recognition at 0.83 to 1.7 mg/m3.
General Description
S-(-)-2-Methyl-1-butanol is a precursor for the synthesis of chiral liquid crystals. It is a potential new-biofuel.
Flammability and Explosibility
Flammable
Purification Methods
Reflux the butanol with CaO, distil, reflux with magnesium and again fractionally distil it. A small sample of highly purified material is obtained by fractional crystallisation after conversion into a suitable ester such as the trinitrophthalate or the 3-nitrophthalate. The latter is converted to the cinchonine salt in acetone and recrystallised from CHCl3 by adding pentane. The salt is saponified, extracted with ether, and fractionally distilled. [Terry et al. J Chem Eng Data 5 403 1960, Beilstein 1 IV 1666.]
