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Alcohol and glycol solvents

(±)-2-Butanol

Also known as 2-Butanol, Butan-2-ol, sec-Butanol

CAS 78-92-2Formula C4H10OMolar mass 74.12 g/molEC 201-158-5
GHS signal word: Warning. Pictograms: Flammable, Harmful or irritant 89 suppliers listed
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(±)-2-Butanol chemical structure, C4H10O, CAS 78-92-2
2D chemical structure

Key facts

What buyers check first

All properties
Appearance
Colorless liquid
Melting point
-114 °C
Boiling point
99.5 °C
Density
Relative density (water = 1): 0.81
Flash point
24 °C
HS code
290514
Category
Alcohol and glycol solvents
UN number
UN 1120
Illustrative photo, 25 litre white jerry cans of liquid in a warehouse
Typical packagingIllustrative packaging image, not the actual product

What is (±)-2-Butanol?

Plain description, key identifiers and synonyms

Butan-2-ol is a secondary alcohol that is butane substituted by a hydroxy group at position 2. It derives from a hydride of a butane.

Identifiers

Registry numbers, names and line notations, tap to copy

IUPAC name
butan-2-ol
CAS number
78-92-2 CAS number cross-checkedOther or deprecated CAS: 15892-23-6
EC numbers
201-158-5, 240-029-8
Molecular formula
C4H10O
UNII
0TUL3ENK62
MDL number
MFCD00004569
INCI name
SEC-BUTYL ALCOHOL
InChIKey
BTANRVKWQNVYAZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
InChI
InChI=1S/C4H10O/c1-3-4(2)5/h4-5H,3H2,1-2H3
SMILES (canonical and isomeric)
CCC(C)O

Synonyms

  • 2-Butanol
  • Butan-2-ol
  • sec-Butanol
  • sec-Butyl alcohol
  • 2-Butyl alcohol
  • Butylene hydrate
  • 1-Methyl-1-propanol
  • Methyl ethyl carbinol
  • 1-Methylpropyl alcohol
  • Ethyl methyl carbinol
  • Butanol secondaire
  • Butanol-2
  • 1-Methyl propanol
  • Methylethylcarbinol
  • Ethylmethyl carbinol
  • Butyl alcohol, sec-
  • Alcool butylique secondaire
  • Methylethyl carbinol
  • CCS 301
  • DL-sec-Butanol
  • racemic-2-butanol
  • DL-Butan-2-ol
  • dl-Methylethylcarbinol
  • (+-)-2-butanol
  • 2-Hydroxybutane
Show all 37 synonyms
  • s-Butyl alcohol
  • s-Butanol
  • (+/-)-2-Butanol
  • n-Butan-2-ol
  • sec-C4H9OH
  • S.B.A.
  • 2-Butanol, anhydrous
  • Butanol secondaire (French)
  • 2-Butanol (natural)
  • Alcool butylique secondaire (French)
  • butane-2-ol
  • 2-Butanol, (R)-

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values and descriptors computed from the structure

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values, check the supplier specification for your grade

Appearance
Colorless liquidexp.
Odour
HAS A STRONG VINOUS ODORexp.
Melting point
-114 °Cexp.
Boiling point
99.5 °Cexp.
Density
Relative density (water = 1): 0.81exp.
Flash point
24 °Cexp.
Autoignition temperature
406 °Cexp.
Solubility
125,000 mg/l water at 20 °Cexp.
Vapour pressure
18.3 mm Hg @ 25 °Cexp.

Values vary by grade. Ask suppliers for the COA or TDS of the batch you buy.

Computed descriptors

Calculated from the structure, useful for screening and formulation

Molecular weight
74.12 g/molcalc.
Exact mass
74.0732 Dacalc.
LogP (octanol/water)
0.78calc.
Topological polar surface area
20.23 Ųcalc.
Hydrogen bond donors
1calc.
Hydrogen bond acceptors
1calc.
Rotatable bonds
1calc.
Heavy atoms
5calc.
Rings
0calc.
Aromatic rings
0calc.
Fraction sp3 carbons
1calc.
Formal charge
0calc.
Stereocentres
1calc.
Lipinski rule of five
Passes (0 violations)calc.

Calculated for screening. Confirm critical figures with the supplier.

Safety and hazards

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet

GHS signal word
Warning
GHS02: Flammable
Flammable
GHS07: Harmful or irritant
Harmful or irritant
310NFPA 704 rating

Hazard statements

  • H226Flammable liquid and vapour.
  • H319Causes serious eye irritation.
  • H335May cause respiratory irritation.
  • H336May cause drowsiness or dizziness.
Precautionary statements (20)
  • P210Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking.
  • P233Keep container tightly closed.
  • P240Ground and bond container and receiving equipment.
  • P241Use explosion-proof electrical, ventilating and lighting equipment.
  • P242Use non-sparking tools.
  • P243Take action to prevent static discharges.
  • P261Avoid breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
  • P264 + P265Wash skin thoroughly after handling. Do not touch eyes.
  • P271Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
  • P280Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
  • P303 + P361 + P353If on skin (or hair): Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Rinse skin with water or shower.
  • P304 + P340If inhaled: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
  • P305 + P351 + P338If in eyes: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
  • P319Get medical help if you feel unwell.
  • P337 + P317If eye irritation persists: Get medical help.
  • P370 + P378In case of fire: Use appropriate media to extinguish.
  • P403 + P233Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed.
  • P403 + P235Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep cool.
  • P405Store locked up.
  • P501Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local regulations.
UN number
UN 1120
Transport hazard class
3
Packing group
III

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet (SDS). Classifications can differ by supplier, grade and concentration. Always check the supplier's SDS.

Full safety data and first aid

(±)-2-Butanol suppliers

Sponsored listings first, then the documented ranking: membership, verification, replies, completeness, freshness and ratings

All 89 suppliers
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Suppliers marked Unclaimed profile have not claimed their profile yet. They are not verified by CompoundList, their offers are price on request and details may have changed, so please confirm them with the supplier. Company representatives can claim a profile with a business email on the company's own website domain. Our team verifies each claim and sends the result by email.

Where suppliers are based

89 suppliers in 19 countries

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(±)-2-Butanol price

Indicative price range per kg from live supplier offers

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Uses and applications

What the substance is used for, by industry and function

In synth of flotation agents, flavors, perfumes, dyestuffs, wetting agents, in industr cleaners, paint removers, solvent for many natural resins, linseed and castor oils.

Used as a solvent and chemical intermediate, & is found in hydraulic brake fluids, industrial cleaning compounds, polishes, paint removers, ore-flotation agents, fruit essences, perfumes dye-stuffs, & as a chemical intermediate.

Preparation of methyl ethyl ketone.

Industrial uses: Intermediate, Solvent, Wetting agent (non-aqueous), Lubricating agent.

Consumer uses: Dispersing agent, Solvent, Wetting agent (non-aqueous).

Cosmetic ingredient, INCI name SEC-BUTYL ALCOHOL(solvent)

Functional uses

  • Flavouring and nutrient
  • Fragrance
  • Solvent

Cosmetic functions

  • Solvent

How it is made

Sec-butyl alcohol is produced commercialy entirely from butenes using indirect hydration with sulfuric acid. ... Typical feed to the commercial process is refinery or steam cracker B-B (butane-butylene) from which butadiene and isobutylene have been removed, to leave a mixture of 1-butene, 2-butene, butane, and isobutane. This feed is extracted with 75-85% sulfuric acid at 35-50 °C to yield butyl hydrogen sulfate. This ester is then diluted with water and stripped with steam to yield the alcohol.

Read more

(Both 1-butene and 2-butene give sec-butyl alcohol.) The sulfuric acid is generally concentrated and recycled.

By reduction of 2-butanone: Chaikin, Brown, J Am Chem Soc 71, 122 (1949) ... by hydration of 2-butene or hydrocarbons containing butene: Dale et al, Ind Eng Chem 48, 913 (1956), Archibald, Mottern, US patent 2,543,820 (1951 to Standard Oil), Limerick, Wylie, US patent 2,776,324 (1957 to Shell). Prepn of L-form or D-form by hydroboration of cis-butene: Brown, US patent 3,078,313 (1963), Brown et al, J Am Chem Soc 86, 397 (1964).

Regulatory status

Inventories, regulations and trade controls that list this substance

Europe

  • EU harmonised classification (CLP Annex VI)
    Index no: 603-127-00-5[4]

Health and food

  • EU cosmetic ingredient inventory

United States

  • TSCA inventory (USA)
    Status: Active in US commerce

HS code and trade data

Customs classification and reported world trade statistics

Global trade

World import and export statistics for the HS code (±)-2-Butanol is traded under.

HS 2905.14Indicative HS code

Saturated monohydric alcohols, other butanols

World exports in 2024
$580M
+32.4% vs 2023, imports $486M
2019 to 2024
Top exporters
  1. Saudi Arabia27.8%
  2. Netherlands20.1%
  3. Malaysia12.5%
Top importers
  1. United States20.9%
  2. South Korea13.2%
  3. China10.5%
Reported customs values in USD, not prices.Full trade data

The HS code shown for (±)-2-Butanol is indicative (it was assigned by structure rules). Confirm the classification with your customs broker before shipping.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about (±)-2-Butanol, based on the data on this page

What is (±)-2-Butanol?

Butan-2-ol is a secondary alcohol that is butane substituted by a hydroxy group at position 2. It derives from a hydride of a butane.

What is the CAS number of (±)-2-Butanol?

The CAS registry number of (±)-2-Butanol is 78-92-2. Other or deprecated CAS numbers: 15892-23-6.

What is the molecular formula and weight of (±)-2-Butanol?

The molecular formula of (±)-2-Butanol is C4H10O and its molar mass is 74.12 g/mol.

What is (±)-2-Butanol used for?

In synth of flotation agents, flavors, perfumes, dyestuffs, wetting agents, in industr cleaners, paint removers, solvent for many natural resins, linseed and castor oils.

Is (±)-2-Butanol hazardous?

(±)-2-Butanol carries the GHS signal word "Warning". Main hazards: flammable liquid and vapour, causes serious eye irritation, may cause respiratory irritation. This summary is not an SDS, always read the supplier safety data sheet.

What is the HS code of (±)-2-Butanol?

(±)-2-Butanol is usually classified under HS code 290514 (Saturated monohydric alcohols, other butanols). This is indicative, confirm it with your customs broker before shipping.

Where can I buy (±)-2-Butanol?

CompoundList lists 89 suppliers of (±)-2-Butanol in United States, China, India, Japan and 15 more. Send one free request to get and compare quotes. Your contact details stay private until you accept a quote.

Where can I buy (±)-2-Butanol in India?

6 suppliers in India list (±)-2-Butanol on CompoundList. Filter the suppliers list by country and send a request to compare prices, grades and delivery times.

What is the price of (±)-2-Butanol?

Suppliers quote (±)-2-Butanol on request because prices depend on grade, purity, quantity and destination. A free request on CompoundList gets you several quotes to compare.

Guides for buyers

Practical guides that help when you source, ship or handle (±)-2-Butanol

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Data last updated 7 Oct 2026. Details may have changed, please confirm them with the supplier. Report an error on this page
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