Butanol
isomers-nbutanol, isobutanol and tertbutanol and their properties
What are the Butanol isomers?
Butanol has total four different isomers. However only three are commercially
important: n-butanol, isobutanol, tertbutanol.
Table with structure of isomers and their properties
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n-butanol
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isobutanol
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tert-butanol
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| Alternate Names |
1-Butanol, Butyl alcohol, Butyl hydroxide,
Methylolpropane, Propylcarbinol
|
Isobutyl alcohol, IBA, 2-methylpropyl alcohol |
t-butanol, 2-methyl-2-propanol, t-butyl alcohol,
tert-butyl alcohol, 1,1-dimethylethanol, dimethylethanol |
| IUPAC Name |
Butan-1-ol |
2-Methylpropan-1-ol |
2-methyl-propan-2-ol |
| Molecular Formula |
C4H10O |
C4H10O |
C4H10O |
| Molar Mass |
74.122 g/mol |
74.122 g/mol |
74.122 g/mol |
| Density |
0.8098 g/cm3 |
0.802 g/cm3 |
0.7809 g/cm3 |
| Viscosity |
-89.5°C, -129°F, 184 K |
-101.9°C, -151°F,171 K |
25°C, 77°F, 298.3 K |
| Boiling Point |
117.7°C, 244°F, 391 K |
107.89°C, 226°F, 381 K |
82°C, 180°F, 355.5 K |
| Flash Point |
35°C |
28°C |
11°C |
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What are common uses of butanol?
N-butanol, iso-butanol and tert-butanol have multiple uses in
industrial and consumer products. The market for n-butanol and isobutanol is over 7 billion
lbs. The companies focused on producing biobutanol have a captive market already.
N-butanol finds applications
as
-production intermediate for:
-butyl acrylate
-butyl acetate
-dibutyl phthalate
-extractant for:
-antibiotics
-hormones
-vitamins
-perfume ingredient
-degreasers and cleaning solutions
-repellent
Iso-butanol finds applications
as
-paint solvent
-ink ingredient
-gasoline additive
-derivative ester precursor
-viscosity reducer in paint
-automotive polish and paint cleaner additive
Tert-butanol finds application
as
-perfume ingredient
-gasoline octane booster
-paint remover ingredient
-solvent
-synthesis intermediate of:
-methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE)
-ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE)
-tert-butyl hydroperoxide
(TBHP)
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