2-Chlorobutane

Chemical properties

Butyl chloride is a highly flammable, clear, colorless liquid.

The Uses of 2-Chlorobutane

2-Chlorobutane is used as a solvent and intermediate in organic synthesis. Further, it is involved in the preparation of active pharmaceutical ingredients, plasticizer, rubber, resin and surfactants.

Definition

ChEBI: 2-chlorobutane is a chloroalkane that is butane which carries a chloro group at position 2. It derives from a hydride of a butane.

Synthesis Reference(s)

Journal of the American Chemical Society, 73, p. 2428, 1951 DOI: 10.1021/ja01150a006

Hazard

Flammable, dangerous fire risk.

Flammability and Explosibility

Highly flammable

Safety Profile

2-Chlorobutane is wildly toxic by ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact. Questionable carcinogen with experimental neoplastigenic data. Dangerous fire hazard when exposed to heat, open flame (sparks), or oxidizers. To fight fEe, use water, water spray, fog, mist, dry chemical, alcohol foam. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of Cl-.

Potential Exposure

Butyl chloride is used as a solvent; as a medicine to control worms, and to make other chemicals

Synthesis

2-Chlorobutane can be synthesized through the addition of hydrochloric acid to 2-butene in the following reaction:

Shipping

UN1127 Chlorobutanes require, Hazard Class: 3; Labels: 3—Flammable liquid

Purification Methods

Purify it in the same way as n-butyl chloride. [Beilstein 1 IV 248.]

Incompatibilities

2-Chlorobutane vapor may form explosive mixture with air. May accumulate static electrical charges, and may cause ignition of its vapors. Water contact slowly forms hydrochloric acid. Incompatible with oxidizers (chlorates, nitrates, peroxides, permanganates, perchlorates, chlorine, bromine, fluorine, etc.); contact may cause fires or explosions. Keep away from alkaline materials, strong bases, strong acids, oxoacids, epoxides, alkaline earth, and alkali metals; finely divided metal. Attacks metals in presence of moisture. Attacks some plastics, rubber, or coatings.

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.