Substance profile
Butyraldehyde
Butyraldehyde is a liquid with a characteristic, pungent, aldehyde odor.
01 · Identification
What Butyraldehyde is
Butyraldehyde is a liquid with a characteristic, pungent, aldehyde odor. Its molecular formula is C4H8O and its molecular weight is 72.11 g/mol. It boils at 74.8 °C, melts at -96.9 °C.
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. |
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Butyraldehyde 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 | 74.8 °C (166.6 °F) | HSDB | |
| 75 °C (167 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | -96.86 °C (-142.3 °F) | HSDB | |
| -98.89 °C (-146 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| -99 °C (-146.2 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Density | 0.8016 g/cm³ | HSDB | |
| 0.8 g/cm³ | ICSC | ||
| 0.803 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| Solubility | Miscible with ethanol, ether, ethyl acetate, acetone, toluene, many other organic solvents andoils | HSDB | |
| Soluble in water; miscible with ethanol; very olubl ein acetone, benzene; slightly soluble in chloroform | HSDB | ||
| In water, 7.10X10+4 mg/L at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 91.5 mmHg | at 20 °C | CAMEO |
| 91.5075 mmHg | at 20 °C | ICSC | |
| 111 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Flash point | -22.22 °C (-8 °F) | HSDB | |
| -6.67 °C (20 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| -12 °C (10.4 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 218.33 °C (425 °F) | HSDB | |
| 230 °C (446 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 1.9 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 2.5 % by volume | CAMEO | ||
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 12.5 % by volume | HSDB | |
| Vapor density | 2.5 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| Odor threshold | Odor threshold= 0.009 ppm | HSDB | |
| Odor Threshold Low: 0.005 [ppm] | Haz-Map | ||
| Odor Threshold High: 9.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map | ||
| Critical temperature and pressure | 263.95 °C (507.1 °F) | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Butyraldehyde
Storage conditions
On contact with air butyraldehyde is oxidized readily to the butyric acids. Therefore, storage under inert gas is mandatory.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Incompatible with oxidizing materials.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
A colorless liquid, BUTYRALDEHYDE can react with oxidizing materials. In contact with strong acids or bases it will undergo an exothermic condensation reaction. The dry aldehyde may undergo some polymerization reaction. Reacts vigorously with chlorosulfonic acid, nitric acid, sulfuric acid (oleum). [Sax, 9th ed., 1996, p. 607].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Butyraldehyde in the storage compatibility matrix →