Chemical Properties
Sec-Butyl acetate is a colorless liquid with a pleasant odor. The vapor mixes well with air,
and become explosive mixtures. It reacts with strong oxidants, strong bases, strong acids,
and nitrates, causing fi re and explosion hazard.
Chemical Properties
Butyl acetates are colorless or yellowish
liquids with pleasant, fruity odors. There are 4 isomers.
Physical properties
Clear, colorless liquid with a pleasant odor. Odor threshold concentration in air is 2.4 ppb
v (Nagata
and Takeuchi, 1990).
Uses
sec-Butyl acetate is used in organic synthesis, catalytic agent, petrochemical additive.
Uses
In solvents, especially lacquer solvents;
textile sizes and paper coatings
Uses
Solvent for nitrocellulose lacquers, thinners,
nail enamels, leather finishes.
Production Methods
sec-Butyl acetate is prepared from sec-butanol and acetic
anhydride. It is also prepared from 2-butene under
pressure and heated to 115–120C with an excess of glacial
acetic acid containing 10% sulfuric acid.
Synthesis Reference(s)
Journal of the American Chemical Society, 77, p. 2287, 1955
DOI: 10.1021/ja01613a077
General Description
Watery colorless liquid with a pleasant, fruity odor. Floats on water. Produces irritating vapor.
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable. Water soluble.
Reactivity Profile
DL-sec-Butyl acetate is an ester. Esters react with acids to liberate heat along with alcohols and acids. Strong oxidizing acids may cause a vigorous reaction that is sufficiently exothermic to ignite the reaction products. Heat is also generated by the interaction of esters with caustic solutions. Flammable hydrogen is generated by mixing esters with alkali metals and hydrides. Dissolves rubber and plastics [USCG, 1999].
Hazard
Flammable, dangerous fire risk. Eye and
upper respiratory tract irritant.
Health Hazard
Headaches, dizziness, nausea, irritation of respiratory passage and eyes.
Health Hazard
During prolonged occupational exposure, sec-butyl acetate causes health effects. The
symptoms of toxicity include irritation to the skin and eyes. Exposures to high concentra tions of sec-butyl acetate irritate the nose and throat causing coughing and respiratory
Chemical Reactivity
Reactivity with Water: No reaction; Reactivity with Common Materials: No reactions; Stability During Transport: Stable; Neutralizing Agents for Acids and Caustics: Not pertinent; Polymerization: Not pertinent; Inhibitor of Polymerization: Not pertinent.
Safety Profile
An irritant and allergen.
See also ESTERS. Flammable liquid. To
fight fire, use alcohol foam, CO2, dry
chemical. When heated to decomposition it
emits acrid and irritating fumes.
Potential Exposure
n-Butyl acetate is an important solvent
in the production of lacquers, leather and airplane dopes,
and perfumes. It is used as a solvent and gasoline additive.
sec-Butyl acetate is used as a widely used solvent for
nitrocellulose, nail enamels and many different purposes.
tert-Butyl acetate is common industrial solvent used in the
making of lacquers, artificial leather, airplane dope, perfume; and as a food additive. Isobutyl acetate is used as a
solvent and in perfumes and artificial flavoring materials
Carcinogenicity
sec-Butyl acetate is not listed as
a carcinogen by ACGIH, California Prop 65, IARC, NTP,
or OSHA.
Environmental Fate
Photolytic. The rate constant for the reaction of sec-butyl acetate and OH radicals in the
atmosphere at 300 K is 3.4 x 10
-12 cm
3/molecule?sec (Hendry and Kenley, 1979).
Chemical/Physical. Slowly hydrolyzes in water forming sec-butyl alcohol and acetic acid.
Shipping
UN1123 Butyl acetates, Hazard Class: 3; Labels:
3—Flammable liquid.
Incompatibilities
All butyl acetates are incompatible with
nitrates, strong oxidizers; strong alkalies; strong acids.
Butyl acetates may form explosive mixture with air; reacts
with water, on standing, to form acetic acid and n-butyl
alcohol. Violent reaction with strong oxidizers and
potassium-tert-butoxide. Dissolves rubber, many plastics,
resins and some coatings. May accumulate static electrical
charges, and may cause ignition of its vapors
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.
Precautions
During handling of sec-butyl acetate, occupational workers should avoid use of open
flames, sparks, remove all ignition sources, and smoking. The vapor of sec-butyl acetate
mixes well with air, and easily forms explosive mixtures. Workers should avoid using
compressed air for fi lling, discharging, or handling.
