Substance profile
Butyl Acetate
Butyl Acetate is a colorless liquid with a strong fruity odor.
01 · Identification
What Butyl Acetate is
Butyl Acetate is a colorless liquid with a strong fruity odor. It boils at 126 °C, melts at -77 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Warning. It is classed as flammable agents - 3rd degree.
Other names for Butyl Acetate
- n-butyl 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 |
|---|---|
| H226 | Flammable liquid and vapour. |
| H336 | May cause drowsiness or dizziness. |
Supplemental EU statements: EUH066
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Butyl 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 | 126 °C (258.8 °F) | HSDB | |
| 125.56 °C (258 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 126.5 °C (259.7 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | -77 °C (-106.6 °F) | HSDB | |
| -77.22 °C (-107 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| -77.89 °C (-108.2 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Density | 0.88 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 0.8825 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 0.875 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| Solubility | In water, 8.33X10+3 mg/L at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB |
| In water, 6,700 ppm at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Soluble in 120 parts water at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 10 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 10 mmHg | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| 11.5 mmHg | at 25 °C, ext | HSDB | |
| Flash point | 22.22 °C (72 °F) | HSDB | |
| Autoignition temperature | 425 °C (797 °F) | HSDB | |
| 404.44 °C (760 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| 420 °C (788 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 1.3 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 1.4 % by volume | HSDB | ||
| 1.7 % by volume | NIOSH | ||
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 7.6 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 7.5 % by volume | HSDB | ||
| Vapor density | 4 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| Odor threshold | Odor thresholds of 7 ppm and 20 ppm have been reported. | HSDB | |
| Detection in water: 0.066 mg/kg; 0.043 mg/kg | HSDB | ||
| 33.13 mg/cu m (odor low); 94.66 mg/cu m (odor high). | HSDB | ||
| Critical temperature and pressure | 304.85 °C (580.7 °F) | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Butyl Acetate
Storage conditions
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Incompatible materials: Strong oxidizing agents, Strong reducing agents, Strong bases.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
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. Attacks many plastics. [Handling Chemicals Safely 1980. p. 233].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Butyl Acetate in the storage compatibility matrix →