DL-sec-Butyl acetate

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).

The Uses of DL-sec-Butyl acetate

Solvent for nitrocellulose lacquers, thinners, nail enamels, leather finishes.

The Uses of DL-sec-Butyl acetate

In solvents, especially lacquer solvents; textile sizes and paper coatings

The Uses of DL-sec-Butyl acetate

sec-Butyl acetate is used in organic synthesis, catalytic agent, petrochemical additive.

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 cm³/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.