Substance profile
Butyronitrile
Butyronitrile is a colorless liquid with a sharp, suffocating odor.
01 · Identification
What Butyronitrile is
Butyronitrile is a colorless liquid with a sharp, suffocating odor. Its molecular formula is C4H7N and its molecular weight is 69.11 g/mol. It boils at 118 °C, melts at -112 °C, is miscible with water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as flammable agents - 3rd degree.
Other names for Butyronitrile
- n-butyronitrile
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. |
| H331 | Toxic if inhaled. |
| H311 | Toxic in contact with skin. |
| H301 | Toxic if swallowed. |
Precautionary statements: P210, P233, P241, P242, P260, P270, P271, P280, P301, P302, P304, P310, P330, P352, P403
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Butyronitrile 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 | 117.5 °C (243.5 °F) | at 760 mmHg | HSDB |
| 117.78 °C (244 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 117.78 °C (244 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | -112 °C (-169.6 °F) | HSDB | |
| -112.22 °C (-170 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| -112.78 °C (-171 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Density | 0.81 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 0.8 g/cm³ | ICSC | ||
| 0.7936 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| Solubility | Miscible with alc, ether, dimethylformamide | HSDB | |
| Sol in benzene | HSDB | ||
| In water, 33,000 mg/l at 25 °C. | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 14 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 20.68 mmHg | CAMEO | ||
| 19.5 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Flash point | 24 °C (75.2 °F) | OPEN CUP | HSDB |
| 16.67 °C (62 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 501.67 °C (935 °F) | HSDB | |
| 487.78 °C (910 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| 501 °C (933.8 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 1.65 % by volume | HSDB | |
| Vapor density | 2.4 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| Critical temperature and pressure | 309.1 °C (588.4 °F) | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Butyronitrile
Incompatible materials
Strong oxidizers & reducing agents, strong acids & bases.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Butyronitrile in the storage compatibility matrix →