Substance profile
Butyl ether
Butyl ether is a colorless liquid with a mild, ethereal odor.
01 · Identification
What Butyl ether is
Butyl ether is a colorless liquid with a mild, ethereal odor. Its molecular formula is C8H18O and its molecular weight is 130.23 g/mol. It boils at 141 °C, melts at -95.2 °C, is miscible with water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Warning. It is classed as flammable agents - 3rd degree.
Other names for Butyl ether
- di-n-butyl ether
- dibutyl ether
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. |
| H335 | May cause respiratory irritation. |
| H315 | Causes skin irritation. |
| H319 | Causes serious eye irritation. |
| H412 | Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects. |
Precautionary statements: P210, P233, P241, P242, P264, P273, P280, P302, P305, P313, P332, P337, P338, P352, P403, P501
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Butyl ether 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 | 140.8 °C (285.4 °F) | HSDB | |
| 142.22 °C (288 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| 142 °C (287.6 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Melting point | -95.2 °C (-139.4 °F) | HSDB | |
| -97.78 °C (-144 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| -95 °C (-139 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Density | 0.7684 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB |
| 0.767 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| 0.8 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | ICSC | |
| Solubility | Miscible with benzene and most org solvents | HSDB | |
| Sol in all prop in alc, ether; very sol in acetone | HSDB | ||
| Miscible with oxygenated solvents | HSDB | ||
| Vapor pressure | 4.8 mmHg | at 20 °C | CAMEO |
| 3.4503 mmHg | at 20 °C | ICSC | |
| 6.01 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Flash point | 37 °C (98.6 °F) | CLOSED CUP | HSDB |
| 25 °C (77 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 194.44 °C (382 °F) | HSDB | |
| 175 °C (347 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 1.5 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 0.9 % by volume | ICSC | ||
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 7.6 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 8.5 % by volume | ICSC | ||
| Vapor density | 1.48 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 4.48 (air = 1) | CAMEO | ||
| 4.5 (air = 1) | ICSC | ||
| Odor threshold | 0.37 mg/cu m (odor low) 2.50 mg/cu m (odor high). | HSDB | |
| Odor threshold high = 0.37 mg/m3, low = 2.50 mg/m3 | Haz-Map |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Butyl ether
Storage conditions
/DUE TO FIRE HAZARD, ETHERS/ ... SHOULD BE KEPT COOL & CONTAINERS ELECTRICALLY GROUNDED TO AVOID SPARKS ... . /ETHERS/
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Forms explosive mixture with air. May accumulate static electrical charges, and may cause ignition of its vapors. Incompatible with strong acids, oxidizers. Contact with air or light may form unstable and explosive peroxides, especially anhydrous form.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
Ethers, such as N-BUTYL ETHER can act as bases. They form salts with strong acids and addition complexes with Lewis acids. The complex between diethyl ether and boron trifluoride is an example. Ethers may react violently with strong oxidizing agents. In other reactions, which typically involve the breaking of the carbon-oxygen bond, ethers are relatively inert.
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Butyl ether in the storage compatibility matrix →