1-Cyclobutylethanol: Properties, Uses & FAQs

1-Cyclobutylethanol is a secondary aliphatic alcohol featuring a cyclobutane ring attached to a 1-hydroxyethyl group, making it a versatile chiral building block for organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry applications.

Chemical Name

1-Cyclobutylethanol

SKU / Catalog Number

C194901

Molecular Formula

C6H12O

Molecular Weight

100.16 g/mol

Compound Class

Secondary aliphatic alcohol; cyclobutane derivative

Chiral Center

Yes — the carbinol carbon bearing the cyclobutyl and methyl groups is a stereocenter

What Is 1-Cyclobutylethanol?

1-Cyclobutylethanol (CAS C194901, molecular formula C₆H₁₂O, MW 100.16 g/mol) is a secondary alcohol in which a cyclobutane ring is directly bonded to the carbinol carbon of an ethanol unit. The compound belongs to the class of small-ring cycloalkyl carbinols and possesses one stereocenter, giving rise to two enantiomers, (R)- and (S)-1-cyclobutylethanol.

The strained four-membered carbocyclic ring imparts distinctive conformational and electronic properties compared with analogous cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl alcohols. These features make 1-cyclobutylethanol attractive as a compact, three-dimensionally rich fragment in drug discovery programs and as a synthetic intermediate for the preparation of cyclobutane-containing target molecules.

Physical and Chemical Properties

As a low-molecular-weight secondary alcohol (MW 100.16 g/mol), 1-cyclobutylethanol is expected to be a colorless, mobile liquid at ambient temperature. The hydroxyl group confers miscibility with common polar solvents such as ethanol, methanol, diethyl ether, ethyl acetate, and dichloromethane, while solubility in water is moderate due to the hydrophobic cyclobutyl ring.

Key physicochemical characteristics relevant to laboratory handling include:

• Molecular Formula: C₆H₁₂O
• Molecular Weight: 100.16 g/mol
• Functional Group: Secondary hydroxyl (–CHOH–)
• Stereochemistry: One chiral center; racemic or enantiopure forms available depending on supplier specification
• Reactivity: Typical secondary alcohol chemistry — oxidation to the corresponding ketone (1-cyclobutylethanone), esterification, etherification, and halogenation under standard conditions

Note: Specific values for boiling point, density, refractive index, and flash point are not confirmed in the current source material and should be verified against the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) or a validated physicochemical database before use.

Applications in Research and Synthesis

1-Cyclobutylethanol serves several roles in modern synthetic and medicinal chemistry:

1. Chiral Building Block: The stereocenter at the carbinol carbon allows access to enantiopure intermediates following resolution or asymmetric synthesis, enabling construction of complex chiral targets.
2. Medicinal Chemistry Fragment: Cyclobutane rings are increasingly employed in drug candidates as bioisosteres of gem-dimethyl groups and as conformational constraints that improve metabolic stability and aqueous solubility relative to larger rings. 1-Cyclobutylethanol provides a compact, sp³-rich scaffold consistent with modern drug-likeness principles.
3. Synthetic Intermediate: The secondary alcohol can be oxidized to 1-cyclobutylethanone (a cyclobutyl methyl ketone), reduced, or elaborated via Mitsunobu, mesylation/tosylation, or Grignard-type reactions to introduce the cyclobutylethyl motif into target molecules.
4. Reference Standard: Suitably characterized material may be used as an analytical reference standard in GC or HPLC method development.

Storage, Handling, and Safety Guidelines

As with all secondary aliphatic alcohols, standard laboratory safety practices apply when working with 1-Cyclobutylethanol:

• Storage: Store in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from heat sources and open flames. Refrigerated storage (2–8 °C) is typically recommended for long-term stability of neat liquid reagents.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Wear appropriate gloves (nitrile recommended), safety glasses, and a lab coat. Work in a fume hood when handling in bulk quantities or when evaporation may concentrate vapors.
• Flammability: Low-molecular-weight alcohols are generally flammable. Keep away from ignition sources. Specific flash point data should be confirmed from the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) provided by Aladdin Scientific.
• Disposal: Dispose of waste material in accordance with local, national, and institutional regulations for flammable organic solvents.

Always consult the product-specific Safety Data Sheet (SDS) available from Aladdin Scientific before use.

Ordering and Specification Information

1-Cyclobutylethanol is available from Aladdin Scientific under catalog number C194901. When placing an order or evaluating the product, consider the following:

• Purity: Confirm the stated purity grade and analytical method (e.g., GC purity ≥ 95% or ≥ 98%) from the current product listing or Certificate of Analysis (CoA), as specifications may vary by lot.
• Pack Sizes: Available pack sizes should be confirmed at the time of ordering via the Aladdin Scientific website or by contacting customer service.
• Enantiopurity: If a specific enantiomer is required, confirm whether the listed material is racemic or enantiopure before purchase.
• Lead Time: As a specialty building block, lead times may vary. Contact Aladdin Scientific customer service for current stock and delivery information.
• Documentation: CoA, SDS, and HNMR or GC trace data may be available upon request for quality-sensitive applications.

Frequently asked questions

What is the molecular formula and molecular weight of 1-Cyclobutylethanol?

1-Cyclobutylethanol has the molecular formula C6H12O and a molecular weight of 100.16 g/mol. It is classified as a secondary aliphatic alcohol with one chiral center at the carbinol carbon.

Is 1-Cyclobutylethanol (C194901) available as a single enantiomer or only as a racemate?

The availability of racemic versus enantiopure 1-Cyclobutylethanol depends on the specific lot and product listing. Researchers requiring a defined stereochemistry should confirm enantiopurity specifications directly with Aladdin Scientific customer service or review the current Certificate of Analysis before ordering.

What are the main synthetic uses of 1-Cyclobutylethanol in the laboratory?

1-Cyclobutylethanol is primarily used as a chiral building block and synthetic intermediate. It can be oxidized to 1-cyclobutylethanone, converted to the corresponding mesylate or tosylate for nucleophilic displacement reactions, or employed in Mitsunobu reactions to invert or transfer the stereocenter. Its cyclobutane motif is also valued in medicinal chemistry as a conformationally constrained, sp3-rich fragment.

How should 1-Cyclobutylethanol be stored to maintain stability?

1-Cyclobutylethanol should be stored in a tightly sealed container under cool, dry, and well-ventilated conditions. Refrigerated storage at 2–8 °C is generally recommended for liquid alcohol reagents to minimize evaporation and degradation. Always refer to the Aladdin Scientific SDS and CoA for lot-specific storage recommendations.

What catalog number should I use to order 1-Cyclobutylethanol from Aladdin Scientific?

1-Cyclobutylethanol is listed under SKU C194901 at Aladdin Scientific. You can use this catalog number when placing an order online or through your procurement team. Contact Aladdin Scientific customer service for information on available pack sizes, current stock levels, and pricing.

References

1. Clayden, J.; Greeves, N.; Warren, S. Organic Chemistry, 2nd ed.; Oxford University Press: Oxford, 2012. (General secondary alcohol chemistry and cyclobutane ring properties.)
2. Nicolaou, K. C.; Sorensen, E. J. Classics in Total Synthesis; VCH: Weinheim, 1996. (Cyclobutane-containing natural product synthesis strategies.)
3. Stepan, A. F. et al. Application of the Bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane Motif as a Nonclassical Phenyl Ring Bioisostere in the Design of a Potent and Orally Active γ-Secretase Inhibitor. J. Med. Chem. 2012, 55, 3414–3424. (Background reference on small carbocyclic rings as bioisosteres in drug design; cyclobutane context.) doi:10.1021/jm300117p

Products are supplied for research and development use only. Not for use in humans, animals, diagnosis, or therapy.