Substance profile
Butylamine
Butylamine is a clear, colorless liquid with an amine odor.
01 · Identification
What Butylamine is
Butylamine is a clear, colorless liquid with an amine odor. Its molecular formula is C4H11N and its molecular weight is 73.14 g/mol. It boils at 78 °C, melts at -50 °C, is miscible with water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as flammable agents - 3rd degree.
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 |
|---|---|
| H225 | Highly flammable liquid and vapour. |
| H332 | Harmful if inhaled. |
| H312 | Harmful in contact with skin. |
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed. |
| H314 | Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. |
Precautionary statements: P210, P233, P241, P242, P260, P270, P271, P280, P301, P302, P304, P310, P312, P330, P331, P352, P403
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Butylamine 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 | 78 °C (172.4 °F) | HSDB | |
| 77.78 °C (172 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 78 °C (172.4 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | -50 °C (-58 °F) | HSDB | |
| Density | 0.74 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 0.741 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| 0.7327 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Solubility | Miscible with alcohol, ether | HSDB | |
| Miscible | NIOSH | ||
| In water, 1X10+6 mg/L (miscible) at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 82 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 72 mmHg | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| 92.9 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Flash point | -1.11 °C (30 °F) | HSDB | |
| -12 °C (10.4 °F) | HSDB | ||
| -12.22 °C (10 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 312.22 °C (594 °F) | HSDB | |
| 312 °C (593.6 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 1.7 % by volume | HSDB | |
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 9.8 % by volume | HSDB | |
| Vapor density | 2.5 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 2.52 (air = 1) | CAMEO | ||
| Odor threshold | Odor Threshold Low: 0.08 [ppm] | Haz-Map | |
| Critical temperature and pressure | 251.11 °C (484 °F) | HSDB | |
| 258.75 °C (497.8 °F) | HSDB | ||
| Corrosivity | It may corrode some metals in the presence of water. | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Source notes
Further notes on Butylamine
These are descriptions rather than measured values, so they are kept out of the table above and quoted here with the source that reported them.
Odor
Water odor threshold: 6.2 mg/L. Air odor threshold: 1.8 uL/L. Odor safety class: C. C = odor safety factor 1-26. Less than 50% of distracted persons perceive warning of TLV.
Source: HSDB
The odor of butylamine is slight at less than 1 ppm, noticeable at 2 ppm, moderately strong at 2 to 5 ppm, strong at 5 to 10 ppm, & strong & irritating at concentrations exceeding 10 ppm. ... concentrations of 10 to 25 ppm are unpleasant to intolerable for more than a few minutes.
Source: HSDB
05 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Butylamine
Storage conditions
Store in closed containers in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area.
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. n-Butylamine is a weak base; reacts with strong oxidizers and acids causing fire and explosion hazard. Incompatible with organic anhydrides, isocyanates, vinyl acetate, acrylates, substituted allyls, alkylene oxides, epichlorohydrin, ketones, aldehydes, alcohols, glycols, phenols, cresols, caprolactum solution. Attacks some metals in presence of moitsure. /Butyl Amines/
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
N-BUTYLAMINE reacts violently with strong oxidizing agents and acids. Attacks copper and copper compounds [Handling Chemicals Safely 1980 p. 123]. Reacts with hypochlorites to give N-chloroamines which may be explosive when isolated [Bretherick 1979 p. 108].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Butylamine in the storage compatibility matrix →