Substance profile
Isobutyric Acid
Isobutyric Acid is a colorless liquid with a pungent odor like that of butyric acid, but not as unpleasant.
01 · Identification
What Isobutyric Acid is
Isobutyric Acid is a colorless liquid with a pungent odor like that of butyric acid, but not as unpleasant. It boils at 154 °C, melts at -47 °C, is slightly soluble in water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Warning. It is classed as flammable agents - 2nd 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 |
|---|---|
| H312 | Harmful in contact with skin. |
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed. |
Precautionary statements: P270, P280, P301, P302, P312, P330, P352
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Isobutyric Acid 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 | 153.89 °C (309 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO |
| 155 °C (311 °F) | JECFA | ||
| 153.5 °C (308.3 °F) | range, midpoint shown, at 760 mmHg | HSDB | |
| Melting point | -47 °C (-52.6 °F) | HSDB | |
| -46.11 °C (-51 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Density | 0.95 g/cm³ | ICSC | |
| 0.95 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 0.949 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| Solubility | Slightly soluble in carbon tetrachloride | HSDB | |
| Sol in 6 parts of water; miscible with alcohol, chloroform, and ether. | HSDB | ||
| In water, 1.67X10+5 mg/L at 20 °C | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 1.81 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB |
| 0.9751 mmHg | at 14.7 °C | ICSC | |
| 1 mmHg | at 14.7 °C | DOE PAC | |
| Flash point | 76.67 °C (170 °F) | HSDB | |
| 55.56 °C (132 °F) | HSDB | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 501.67 °C (935 °F) | HSDB | |
| 481 °C (897.8 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 2 % by volume | HSDB | |
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 9.2 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 9 % by volume | ICSC | ||
| Vapor density | 3 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| Odor threshold | Odor detection threshold in water: 8.1 ppm. | HSDB | |
| Aroma threshold values: Detection: 10 ppb to 9.5 ppm. | HSDB | ||
| It has a stench odor. | HSDB | ||
| Critical temperature and pressure | 336.11 °C (637 °F) | HSDB | |
| Corrosivity | /2-Methylpropanoic acid/ is corrosive to metals. | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Isobutyric Acid
Incompatible materials
2-Methylpropanoic acid can react with oxidizing materials.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
ISOBUTYRIC ACID corrodes aluminum and other metals. Flammable hydrogen gas may accumulate in enclosed spaces in which this reaction has taken place (USCG, 1999).
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Isobutyric Acid in the storage compatibility matrix →