What Is Butyl Acetate?
Butyl acetate, usually sold as n-butyl acetate, is a colorless ester solvent with the formula C6H12O2 and the CAS number 123-86-4. It has a characteristic sweet, fruity odor and occurs naturally in apples, bananas, cherries, grapes, pears, plums, tomatoes and cocoa beans. It is volatile and combustible, evaporates more slowly than ethyl acetate, and is miscible with ethanol, ether and most organic solvents, while being only slightly soluble in water (about 0.5 g per 100 mL at 20 °C). Its moderate evaporation rate and high solvency make it the classic "leveling" solvent for coatings that need time to flow out into a smooth film.
Butyl Acetate Specifications (CAS 123-86-4)
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| CAS number | 123-86-4 |
| Molecular formula | C6H12O2 |
| Molecular weight | 116.16 g/mol |
| Boiling point | 126 °C |
| Melting point | -78 °C |
| Flash point (closed cup) | About 22 - 24 °C |
| Auto-ignition temperature | About 370 °C |
| Density at 20 °C | 0.882 g/cm³ |
| Vapor density (air = 1) | 4.0 |
| UN number / class | UN 1123, Class 3, Packing Group II |
| HS code | 2915330000 |
| EINECS number | 204-658-1 |
What Is Butyl Acetate Used For in Industry?
Paints and coatings. Butyl acetate is a primary solvent in automotive and industrial coatings, lacquers and varnishes. Its slower evaporation improves gloss, flow and leveling and reduces orange-peel defects, while its strong solvency handles nitrocellulose, acrylic and polyester resins.
Printing inks and adhesives. In flexographic and gravure inks, n-butyl acetate provides excellent resin solvency and fast drying. It is also a key component of packaging and lamination adhesives.
Artificial leather and film. It is used as a solvent in the production of coated fabrics, synthetic leather and photographic and packaging films.
Flavors and fragrances. Because it occurs naturally in fruit, butyl acetate is used in flavoring compositions and perfumery at appropriate concentrations.
Pharmaceuticals and extraction. It serves as a reaction and extraction solvent in drug manufacturing and in analytical sample preparation where an ester solvent with a mid-range boiling point is required.
Why Formulators Choose Butyl Acetate
The benefits of butyl acetate as an industrial solvent include high solvency power for common film-forming resins, a slow and predictable evaporation profile that promotes film leveling, comparatively low toxicity among ester solvents, a pleasant non-pungent odor, and cost efficiency in bulk supply. These qualities improve both the application behavior and the final appearance of paints, inks and adhesive films.
Safety and Handling
Butyl acetate is a flammable liquid (Class 3, UN 1123, flash point about 22-24 °C) whose vapor is much heavier than air, so vapor can travel along floors to ignition sources. Store it in a cool, well-ventilated area away from heat, sparks and oxidizers, keep containers grounded during transfer, and use adequate ventilation to avoid vapor buildup. Wear protective gloves and goggles; the liquid can irritate eyes and skin, and high vapor concentrations may cause drowsiness or dizziness (H225, H319, H336).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is butyl acetate the same as ethyl acetate? No. Both are ester solvents, but butyl acetate (C6H12O2) evaporates more slowly and has a higher boiling point (126 °C versus 77 °C), which gives coatings better flow and leveling.
Why is butyl acetate used in automotive paints? Its moderate evaporation rate lets the film level out before drying, improving gloss and reducing surface defects, while its solvency handles the resin systems used in automotive refinish and industrial coatings.
Is butyl acetate toxic? It has low-to-moderate acute toxicity and is classified as an irritant (H319 eye irritation, H336 drowsiness/dizziness). Prolonged skin contact and vapor inhalation should be avoided with proper ventilation and PPE.
Is butyl acetate flammable? Yes, it is a Class 3 flammable liquid with a closed-cup flash point of about 22-24 °C and must be handled away from ignition sources with static grounding.
What grades of butyl acetate are available? Common grades are industrial/technical (about 99% purity) and higher-purity grades for coatings, inks, flavor and analytical use. COA and SDS accompany each shipment.
How is butyl acetate shipped in bulk? It is transported in steel drums (around 160-180 kg), IBC totes and ISO tanks as UN 1123 Class 3, Packing Group II, with proper dangerous-goods documentation.
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