Chemical Name: n-Butanol
Synonyms: 1-Butanol, Butyl alcohol, n-Butyl alcohol
CAS Number: 71-36-3
EC Number: 200-751-6
Recommended Use: Solvent in coatings, chemical synthesis, extraction processes, and cleaning applications
Manufacturer/Supplier: Chemical manufacturers, distributors, and laboratory suppliers
Contact Information: Emergency hotline and address located on supplier document
GHS Classification: Flammable Liquid (Category 3); Acute Toxicity, Inhalation (Category 4); Skin Irritation (Category 2); Eye Damage (Category 1); Specific Target Organ Toxicity–Single Exposure (Category 3)
Label Elements: Flammable pictogram; Corrosive pictogram; Exclamation mark pictogram
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Causes serious eye damage; May cause respiratory irritation; Harmful if inhaled; Causes skin irritation; Flammable liquid and vapor
Precautionary Statements: Keep away from heat, sparks, open flames; Wear protective gloves, eye protection, face protection; Do not breathe vapors; Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area
Other Hazards: Vapors may cause drowsiness or dizziness; can form explosive mixtures with air
Chemical Identity: n-Butanol
Purity: ≥99%
Main Constituent: n-Butanol (CAS: 71-36-3) 99–100%
Impurities: May contain trace amounts of isobutanol and water
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air immediately; if breathing difficulty persists, seek medical attention; assist breathing if necessary
Skin Contact: Immediately wash with soap and plenty of water; remove contaminated clothing; seek medical advice for irritation or symptoms
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes; remove contact lenses; continue rinsing; seek immediate medical attention
Ingestion: Rinse mouth thoroughly; do not induce vomiting; seek immediate medical care; if person is conscious, give small amount of water
Most Important Symptoms/Effects: Severe eye irritation, drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, respiratory tract irritation
Notes to Physician: Treat symptomatically; monitor respiratory and neurological status
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide, or water spray
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Direct water jet (may spread fire)
Special Hazards: Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back; combustion produces toxic fumes including carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide
Protective Equipment for Firefighters: Full protective gear including self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA); stay upwind; avoid inhaling fumes
Specific Methods: Use water spray to cool containers; remove containers from fire area if safe
Explosion Sensitivity: Can form explosive mixtures with air; containers may explode under fire conditions
Personal Precautions: Wear protective equipment; avoid inhalation of vapors; remove ignition sources; ventilate area
Environmental Precautions: Prevent spill from entering drains, sewers, waterways, or soil
Methods for Clean-Up: Contain spill using non-combustible absorbent (sand, earth, vermiculite); collect in suitable, clearly labelled containers for disposal; ventilate area and wash spill site after material pick-up
Emergency Procedures: Evacuate unprotected personnel; isolate hazard area
Handling: Use spark-proof tools and explosion-proof equipment; avoid contact with skin, eyes, clothing; avoid inhalation of vapors; keep containers tightly closed; use with adequate ventilation
Storage: Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated place away from heat, ignition sources, and incompatible materials (oxidizers, acids); ground and bond containers; keep away from food and drink; keep container labeled
Other Information: Ground containers during transfer; avoid storing near strong oxidizing agents; maintain good housekeeping in storage areas
Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL 100 ppm (300 mg/m³); ACGIH TLV 20 ppm (61 mg/m³) TWA
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation to keep air levels below exposure limits; maintain appropriate eye-wash and safety shower facilities
Personal Protection:
Respiratory—Approved respirator if exposure exceeds limits.
Skin—Impermeable gloves (nitrile recommended), protective clothing.
Eye—Chemical safety goggles and face shield.
Hygiene—Avoid eating, drinking, or smoking in area; wash thoroughly after handling.
Appearance: Colorless liquid
Odor: Strong, characteristic alcohol odor
Odor Threshold: 0.2–48 ppm
pH: Not applicable
Melting Point: -89°C
Boiling Point: 117.7°C
Flash Point: 35°C (closed cup)
Flammability: Flammable
Explosion Limits: Lower 1.4%; Upper 11.2% (v/v)
Vapor Pressure: 6.7 mm Hg at 20°C
Vapor Density: 2.6 (air = 1)
Relative Density: 0.81 (water = 1)
Solubility: Miscible with water, soluble in alcohol, ether
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): 0.88
Auto-ignition Temperature: 345°C
Decomposition Temperature: No information
Viscosity: 2.95 mPa.s at 20°C
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal temperature and pressure
Possibility of Hazardous Reactions: May react with strong oxidizers, acids, and alkali metals; may form explosive peroxides
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, flames, sparks, static discharge, contact with incompatible materials
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizing agents, strong acids, acid chlorides, acid anhydrides, alkali metals
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, irritating vapors and gases
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin and eye contact, ingestion
Acute Toxicity: LD50 oral (rat): 790 mg/kg; LD50 dermal (rabbit): 4200 mg/kg; LC50 inhalation (rat, 4h): 8000 ppm
Effects from Acute Exposure: Eye and skin irritation, respiratory tract irritation, headaches, nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, gastrointestinal upset
Chronic Effects: Prolonged exposure can cause central nervous system depression, liver and kidney effects
Sensitization: No significant evidence of allergenic reaction
Carcinogenicity: Not classifiable as human carcinogen according to IARC, NTP, OSHA
Mutagenicity: No data suggesting mutagenic effects in humans
Reproductive Toxicity: No data indicating reproductive risks in humans
Aquatic Toxicity: LC50 (Fish, 96h): 1376 mg/L (Pimephales promelas); EC50 (Daphnia, 48h): 1983 mg/L
Persistence and Degradability: Readily biodegradable in aerobic conditions
Bioaccumulation Potential: Low (BCF < 4)
Mobility in Soil: High mobility; may leach into groundwater
Other Effects: Toxic to aquatic life at high concentrations, primarily due to oxygen depletion
Waste Treatment Methods: Dispose of in accordance with local, regional, and national regulations; use licensed chemical waste disposal contractor; do not discharge into the environment
Container Disposal: Empty containers may contain residue; treat properly before disposal or recycling
Other Instructions: Do not pour down drain; no open burning; avoid release to soil
UN Number: UN1120
UN Proper Shipping Name: n-Butanol
Transport Hazard Class: 3 (Flammable liquid)
Packing Group: III
Environmental Hazards: Not a marine pollutant under IMDG
Special Precautions for User: Keep containers upright and secure; use non-sparking tools for transport handling; emergency response guides available for flammable liquids
Regulatory Transport Labels: Flammable Liquid
TSCA Status: Listed
SARA 313: Subject to reporting
OSHA: Flammable chemical, hazardous by definition
EPA: Not listed as hazardous waste but subject to spill reporting requirements
REACH: Registration completed, substance of no known major concern
Other National and Local Regulations: Workplace exposure limits established in the US, Europe, and other jurisdictions; follow specific local and national chemical safety rules
