1-Butanol

1-Butanol, also known as butyl alcohol, is a colourless, flammable, volatile liquid with a strong alcoholic odor. It is a four carbon straight chain alcohol. 1-Butanol is slightly soluble in water, miscible with alcohol, ether, benzene and other organic solvents, so it can dissolve alkaloids, camphor, dyes, rubber, ethyl cellulose, grease, wax and a variety of natural and synthetic resins. Naturally, 1-Butanol occurs as a minor product of the fermentation of sugars and other carbohydrates. And it is also present in many foods and beverages. 

Preparation: There are three industry factures of 1-butanol: fermentation, propylene carbonyl synthesis and acetaldehyde aldol condensation.

1. Fermentation: The grain, cereals, potato or molasses and other raw materials are crushed and adding water to obtain fermentation liquor. After high pressure steam sterilization process, cooled and put in pure acetone - butanol bacteria. Then ferment at 36-37 °C. Fermentation genetates gas containing carbon dioxide and hydrogen generation. The fermentation liquor contains ethanol, butanol and acetone with the ratio of 6:3:1. People can seperate butanol, acetone and ethanol by rectification.

2. Propylene carbonyl synthesis: The carbon monoxide and hydrogen which are made from coke and propylene go through carbonyl synthesis reaction at high pressure in the presence of cobalt-based or rhodium-based catalyst to get n-butanal and isobutyraldehyde. Then, after hydrogenation and fractionation, 1-butanol can be obtained.

3. Acetaldehyde aldol condensation: The condensation and dehydration of two molecules of acetaldehyde can obtain crotonaldehyde. Crotonaldehyde can be hydrogenated to produce 1-butanol in the presence of nickel-chromium catalyst at 180 °C and 0.29MPa.

Uses: 1-Butanol is used as solvent for paints, coatings, resins, gums, dyes, varnishes, vegetable oils, waxes, dyes, fats, rubbers, resins, shellac, camphor, and alkaloids. It is also used as dehydrating agent, anticreaming agent, extractant of drugs (such as antibiotics, hormones and vitamins) and spices, additive of alkyd paint, etc. As a solvent, 1-butanol is used to separate potassium perchlorate and sodium perchlorate, and sodium chloride and lithium chloride. What's more, it is mainly used in the manufacture of phthalic acid, aliphatic dicarboxylic acid and phosphoric acid butyl acetate plasticizers which are widely used in a variety of plastic and rubber products. Besides, it is also used as a diluent/reactant in the manufacture of urea–formaldehyde and melamine–formaldehyde resins. In addition, it is allowed as artificial flavorant in the United States, used in ice cream and ices, cream, fruit, rum, baked goods, whiskey, candy, butter, and cordials.

Safty: 1-Butanol is not only harmful if swallowed, but also irritating to respiratory system and skin. It also has risk of serious damage to the eyes. Vapours may cause drowsiness and dizziness. In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice. If swallowed, seek medical advice immediately and show this container or label. In case of accident or if you feel unwell, seek medical advice immediately (show the label whenever possible.) But no deaths were reported at an inhaled concentration of 8000 ppm (4-hour exposure, rats). Keep 1-butanol away from food, drink and animal foodstuffs.

Structure Descriptors:
1. Smiles:C(CC)CO
2. InChI:InChI=1/C4H10O/c1-2-3-4-5/h5H,2-4H2,1H3

Toxicity: