Substance profile
1,3-Butadiene
1,3-Butadiene is a colorless gas with a mIldly aromatic odor.
01 · Identification
What 1,3-Butadiene is
1,3-Butadiene is a colorless gas with a mIldly aromatic odor. It boils at -4.5 °C, melts at -109 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs).
Other names for 1,3-Butadiene
- buta-1,3-diene
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H220 | Extremely flammable gas. |
| H350 | May cause cancer <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H340 | May cause genetic defects <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
Precautionary statements: P201, P210, P233, P280, P308, P313, P403
03 · Physical and chemical properties
1,3-Butadiene properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | -4.5 °C (23.9 °F) | HSDB | |
| -4.44 °C (24 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| -4.39 °C (24.1 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | -108.97 °C (-164.1 °F) | HSDB | |
| -108.89 °C (-164 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Density | 0.6 g/cm³ | ICSC | |
| 0.621 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| 0.6149 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Solubility | Slightly soluble in methanol, ethanol; soluble in organic solvents such as carbon tetrachloride; alcohol dissolves about 40 vols at room temp. | HSDB | |
| Soluble in ethanol, ether, benzene; very soluble in acetone | HSDB | ||
| In water, 735 mg/L at 20 °C | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 1824 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 1840 mmHg | at 21.11 °C | CAMEO | |
| 2052 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Flash point | -76.11 °C (-105 °F) | NIOSH | |
| -76 °C (-104.8 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 420 °C (788 °F) | HSDB | |
| 414 °C (777.2 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 1.4 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 2 % by volume | HSDB | ||
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 16.3 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 12 % by volume | HSDB | ||
| Vapor density | 1.87 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 1.9 (air = 1) | ICSC | ||
| Odor threshold | 4 MG/CU M | HSDB | |
| Detection: 4.50x10-1 ppm, purity not specified. | HSDB | ||
| 0.35 mg/cu m (odor low) 2.86 mg/cu m (odor high) | HSDB | ||
| Critical temperature and pressure | 161.8 °C (323.2 °F) | HSDB | |
| Corrosivity | Non-corrosive | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling 1,3-Butadiene
Storage conditions
Outside or detached storage is preferred. Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location. Isolate from oxidizing materials.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Solid butadiene at below -113 °C will absorb enough oxygen at subatmospheric pressure to explode violently when allowed to melt.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
A colorless gas, it can react with oxidizing reagents. Upon long exposure to air it forms explosive peroxides. They are sensitive to heat or shock; sudden polymerization may occur [Scott, D. A., Chem. Eng. News, 1940, 18, p.404]. Butadiene polyperoxides are insoluble in liquefied butadiene (m. p. -113 °C, b. p. -2.6 °C) and progressively separate leading to local concentration build up. Self-heating from a spontaneous decomposition will lead to explosion [Hendry, D. G. et al., Ind. Eng. Chem., 1968, 7, p. 136, 1145]. Explodes on contact with aluminum tetrahydroborate, potentially explosive reaction with chlorine dioxide (peroxide) and crotonaldehyde (above 180 °C). Reaction with sodium nitrite forms a spontaneously flammable product [Sax, 9th ed., 1996, p. 539].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check 1,3-Butadiene in the storage compatibility matrix →