Butyl Acetate Lab Handling & Usage Guidelines | Aladdin

Butyl acetate is a widely used ester solvent valued in research and industrial applications for its excellent solvency, moderate evaporation rate, and favorable handling characteristics.

Chemical Name

Butyl acetate (n-Butyl acetate)

Molecular Formula

C₆H₁₂O₂

Molecular Weight

116.16 g/mol

CAS Number

123-86-4

Boiling Point

126–127 °C

Flash Point

22 °C (closed cup)

Appearance

Clear, colorless liquid with fruity odor

Physical and Chemical Properties

Butyl acetate (CAS 123-86-4) is a short-chain ester formed by the esterification of acetic acid and n-butanol. It presents as a clear, colorless, mobile liquid with a characteristic pleasant fruity odor. Key physicochemical data relevant to laboratory use include:

• Molecular formula: C₆H₁₂O₂; MW 116.16 g/mol
• Boiling point: approximately 126–127 °C at 760 mmHg
• Density: approximately 0.882 g/mL at 20 °C
• Refractive index: approximately 1.394 at 20 °C
• Water solubility: slightly soluble (~7 g/L at 20 °C); miscible with most common organic solvents including alcohols, ketones, ethers, and hydrocarbons
• Vapor pressure: approximately 10–15 mmHg at 20 °C

Its moderate polarity makes it effective for dissolving a broad range of organic compounds, including natural resins, cellulose esters, synthetic polymers, fats, and oils.

Laboratory Applications

Butyl acetate serves multiple roles in research and analytical laboratory settings:

• Solvent for organic synthesis: Frequently employed as a reaction medium or extraction solvent in organic synthesis due to its good solvency, relatively low reactivity, and ease of removal by evaporation.
• Liquid-liquid extraction: Widely used in aqueous workups to extract polar and semi-polar organic products from reaction mixtures. Its low miscibility with water and convenient boiling point facilitate efficient phase separation and subsequent evaporation.
• Chromatography: Used as a mobile-phase component or solvent for sample preparation in thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and column chromatography.
• Coating and film-forming formulations: Applied in research on lacquers, varnishes, and polymer films as a co-solvent or primary solvent.
• Reference solvent: Used in physicochemical measurements such as partition coefficient (log P) determinations and solubility screening.

Researchers should verify compatibility of butyl acetate with specific substrates, reagents, and equipment materials (especially plastics and elastomers) before use.

Safe Handling and Personal Protective Equipment

Butyl acetate is a flammable liquid (Flash point ~22 °C, closed cup) and should be handled with appropriate precautions in accordance with GHS/SDS guidelines:

• Ventilation: Always handle in a well-ventilated fume hood. Vapor concentrations should be kept below occupational exposure limits (OEL/TLV; consult current local regulatory guidelines — typically ~150 ppm TWA for n-butyl acetate).
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Wear appropriate chemical-resistant gloves (e.g., nitrile or neoprene), safety goggles or face shield, and a laboratory coat. Avoid prolonged skin or eye contact.
• Ignition sources: Keep away from open flames, sparks, and hot surfaces. Use explosion-proof electrical equipment where applicable.
• Inhalation: High vapor concentrations cause irritation of the eyes, nose, and respiratory tract, and at very high levels may cause dizziness or narcosis. Do not use without adequate ventilation.
• First aid: In case of skin contact, wash thoroughly with soap and water. For eye contact, rinse immediately with copious water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical advice. If inhaled in significant amounts, move to fresh air immediately.

Always consult the current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) supplied with the product before use.

Storage and Stability

Proper storage of butyl acetate is essential to maintain product quality and ensure laboratory safety:

• Temperature: Store at room temperature (15–25 °C) in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
• Container: Keep in tightly sealed original containers, preferably amber glass or approved metal containers. Avoid prolonged storage in plastic containers, as some polymers may be attacked by the solvent.
• Segregation: Store away from strong oxidizers, strong acids, strong bases, and other incompatible materials. Store in a dedicated flammable solvent storage cabinet as required by local safety regulations.
• Stability: Butyl acetate is generally stable under recommended storage conditions. It may slowly hydrolyze in the presence of strong acids or bases to give acetic acid and n-butanol, but this is not significant under normal anhydrous laboratory conditions.
• Shelf life: Typically 2–3 years from the date of manufacture when stored under recommended conditions in sealed containers. Verify with the current product certificate of analysis (CoA).

Quality Specifications and Purity Considerations

For research applications, the purity and specification of butyl acetate can be critical to experimental reproducibility and outcome. Researchers and procurement staff should consider the following:

• Purity grades: Butyl acetate is available in multiple purity grades, including technical grade, reagent grade, HPLC grade, and anhydrous grade. The appropriate grade should be selected based on application sensitivity. For most synthetic and extraction applications, reagent grade (typically ≥99% purity) is adequate. For HPLC mobile-phase preparation or sensitive spectroscopic measurements, HPLC/spectroscopic grade is recommended.
• Key impurities to monitor: Common impurities include n-butanol, acetic acid, sec-butyl acetate, and water. Residual acidity and water content are particularly important for reactions sensitive to protic or acidic conditions.
• Certificate of Analysis (CoA): Always request and review the CoA for each lot before critical use. Parameters typically reported include assay (GC purity), water content (Karl Fischer), acidity, color (APHA), and refractive index.
• Lot-to-lot consistency: For long-term studies or multi-site collaborations, record the lot number to enable traceability and reproducibility.

Aladdin Scientific's butyl acetate (SKU: B1530105) is supplied with a detailed CoA to support your quality assurance requirements.

Frequently asked questions

What is butyl acetate commonly used for in a research laboratory?

Butyl acetate is primarily used as an organic solvent for liquid-liquid extractions, reaction media in organic synthesis, and as a mobile-phase component in chromatography. It is also used in polymer and coating research as a solvent for resins, cellulose esters, and synthetic polymers.

How should butyl acetate be stored safely in the laboratory?

Butyl acetate should be stored in tightly sealed original containers (preferably amber glass or approved metal) in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area at 15–25 °C, away from heat, ignition sources, and incompatible materials such as strong oxidizers and strong acids. A dedicated flammable solvent storage cabinet is required per most laboratory safety regulations.

What personal protective equipment (PPE) is required when handling butyl acetate?

When handling butyl acetate, researchers should wear chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile or neoprene), safety goggles or a face shield, and a lab coat. All operations should be conducted in a well-ventilated fume hood to minimize vapor inhalation. Always consult the product SDS for complete safety guidance.

Which purity grade of butyl acetate should I select for HPLC mobile-phase preparation?

For HPLC mobile-phase preparation, you should use HPLC-grade or spectroscopic-grade butyl acetate, which has tightly controlled impurity profiles and low UV absorbance. Reagent-grade material may contain trace impurities such as residual alcohols or acidity that could interfere with chromatographic separation or detector response.

Is butyl acetate compatible with common laboratory plasticware?

Butyl acetate can attack or swell certain plastics and elastomers, including polystyrene, some grades of polyethylene, and natural rubber. It is generally compatible with glass, stainless steel, and PTFE (Teflon). Always verify material compatibility before using butyl acetate with plastic tubing, fittings, or containers.

References

1. Lide DR (ed.). CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 84th edition. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 2003.
2. European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). Butyl acetate (CAS 123-86-4) — Registered Substance Factsheet. ECHA, Helsinki.
3. American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs). ACGIH, Cincinnati, OH. (Current edition).
4. Smallwood IM. Handbook of Organic Solvent Properties. Arnold/Butterworth-Heinemann, London, 1996.

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