Substance profile
2-butoxyethyl acetate
2-butoxyethyl acetate is a colorless liquid with a fruity odor.
01 · Identification
What 2-butoxyethyl acetate is
2-butoxyethyl acetate is a colorless liquid with a fruity odor. It boils at 192 °C, melts at -63.5 °C, is soluble in water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Warning. It is classed as flammable agents - 2nd degree.
Other names for 2-butoxyethyl acetate
- butylglycol acetate
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 |
|---|---|
| H332 | Harmful if inhaled. |
| H312 | Harmful in contact with skin. |
Precautionary statements: P260, P271, P280, P302, P304, P312, P352
03 · Physical and chemical properties
2-butoxyethyl acetate 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 | 192 °C (377.6 °F) | HSDB | |
| 192.22 °C (378 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 192.22 °C (378 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | -63.5 °C (-82.3 °F) | HSDB | |
| -63.33 °C (-82 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Density | 0.94 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 0.9422 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 0.942 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| Solubility | Soluble in hydrocarbons and organic solvents | HSDB | |
| 1.5% | NIOSH | ||
| In water, 9X10+3 mg/L at 20 °C | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 0.3 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 0.375 mmHg | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| Flash point | 71.11 °C (160 °F) | HSDB | |
| Autoignition temperature | 340.56 °C (645 °F) | HSDB | |
| 340 °C (644 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 0.9 % by volume | CAMEO | |
| 0.88 % by volume | DOE PAC | ||
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 8.5 % by volume | CAMEO | |
| 8.54 % by volume | at 93.33 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor density | 5.5 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| Odor threshold | 0.1 ppm (absolute threshold) | HSDB | |
| Odor Threshold Low: 0.1 [ppm] | Haz-Map | ||
| Odor Threshold High: 0.48 [ppm] | Haz-Map |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling 2-butoxyethyl acetate
Storage conditions
Separated from strong oxidants, and strong bases. Cool. Keep in the dark.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Oxidizers.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
ETHYLENE GLYCOL MONOBUTYL ETHER ACETATE is incompatible with the following: Oxidizers (NIOSH, 2024). It is an ether-ester derivative. The ether being relatively unreactive. Flammable and/or toxic gases are generated by the combination of alcohols with alkali metals, nitrides, and strong reducing agents. They react with oxoacids and carboxylic acids to form esters plus water. Oxidizing agents convert alcohols to aldehydes or ketones.
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check 2-butoxyethyl acetate in the storage compatibility matrix →