nButanol

n-Butanol, also known as butan-1-ol, is an aliphatic primary alcohol with the chemical formula C4H10O. It is a colorless, flammable liquid with a characteristic odor. The substance has a boiling point of about 117.7°C and a melting point around -89°C. It is less dense than water and is moderately soluble in water (approximately 7 g per 100 mL at room temperature), with good miscibility in many organic solvents.

Industrial production occurs mainly through two routes. In petrochemical processes, propylene is hydroformylated with carbon monoxide and hydrogen to yield butyraldehyde, which is then hydrogenated to n-butanol. In biobased routes, n-butanol is produced by acetone–butanol–ethanol (ABE) fermentation using Clostridium species; purification yields higher-purity butanol. Fermentation historically produced acetone, butanol, and ethanol as co-products.

Uses of n-butanol include industrial and consumer applications as a versatile solvent for coatings, inks, adhesives, and cleaning formulations. It serves as a chemical intermediate in the production of esters such as butyl acrylate and butyl acetate and as a precursor to various other solvents and plasticizers. Because of its relatively higher energy content and compatibility with some fuel systems, n-butanol has also been investigated as a renewable component for gasoline blends.

Safety and environment: n-Butanol is flammable and can be hazardous if inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin. It can cause irritation to eyes, skin, and the respiratory tract, and long-term exposure may affect the nervous system. It should be stored away from heat sources and oxidizers in well-ventilated areas. It is considered readily biodegradable with moderate aquatic toxicity, and spills should be contained and cleaned up promptly.