n-Butanoic acid

Product Details

CasNo： 107-92-6

MF： C4H8O2

Appearance： liquid

Delivery Time： 15 days

Packing： 200kg/drum

Purity： 99%

1. Basic Information

• Chinese Names: 正丁酸 (n-Butyric Acid), 丁酸 (Butyric Acid), 天然丁酸 (Natural Butyric Acid)
• English Names: n-Butyric acid, Butanoic acid
• CAS Number: 107-92-6
• EINECS Number: 203-532-4
• Molecular Formula: C₄H₈O₂
• Molecular Weight: 88.11
• Molecular Structure: CH₃CH₂CH₂COOH (The carboxyl group is attached to the end of a straight-chain propane, belonging to straight-chain saturated fatty acids)

2. Physicochemical Properties

• Appearance and State: Colorless to pale yellow transparent oily liquid at room temperature; solidifies into white crystals at low temperatures (below -7.9℃).
• Odor: Has a strong pungent acidic smell, similar to the odor of rotten butter or fermented cheese; the odor weakens as the concentration decreases.
• Density: 0.9587 g/cm³ (at 20℃, liquid state)
• Melting Point: -7.9℃ (pure product); industrial-grade products may fluctuate slightly due to trace impurities.
• Boiling Point: 163.5℃ (under normal pressure of 101.3kPa); the boiling point is relatively high, so temperature control is required during distillation to avoid decomposition.
• Flash Point: 71.7℃ (closed cup), 84℃ (open cup); classified as a medium-flash flammable liquid, so it must be kept away from open flames.
• Solubility:
  • Partially miscible with water: Solubility in water is approximately 5.5 g/100mL at 20℃; solubility slightly increases as water temperature rises.
  • Easily soluble in organic solvents: Fully miscible with most organic solvents such as ethanol, ether, acetone, benzene, and chloroform; also soluble in fat-soluble substances like oils and waxes.
• Acidity: A medium-strong acid with an ionization constant (pKa) of 4.82 at 25℃, which is more acidic than acetic acid (pKa=4.76) and propionic acid (pKa=4.87). Its aqueous solution is significantly acidic and can undergo neutralization reactions with bases to form butyrates.
• Stability: Stable at room temperature, but prone to slow oxidative deterioration when exposed to air for a long time; may decompose when exposed to high temperatures (exceeding 200℃) or strong oxidants (such as potassium permanganate, hydrogen peroxide), producing gases like carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.

3. Main Application Fields

The application of n-butyric acid relies on its acidity, fat solubility, and biological activity, with core fields including food, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and agriculture:

3.1 Food Industry

• Food Additive (Preservative/Acidity Regulator): As a legally permitted food additive (allowed by China’s GB 2760 standard), it can inhibit the growth of molds, yeasts, and some bacteria (such as Salmonella and Escherichia coli). It is commonly used for the preservation of bread, pastries, cheese, meat products, etc. It can also adjust the acidity of food and improve flavor (e.g., used for sour taste adjustment in beverages and jams).
• Food Flavor: At compliant concentrations, it can be used to prepare food flavors with flavors such as cream, butter, cheese, and fruits (e.g., apples, bananas), enhancing the authenticity of the product’s aroma.

3.2 Pharmaceutical Field

• Raw Material for Intestinal Health Drugs: n-Butyric acid is a metabolite of human intestinal flora (such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus) and the main energy source for colonic epithelial cells. It can promote the repair of intestinal mucosa and regulate the balance of intestinal flora. In clinical practice, its salts (such as sodium butyrate and calcium butyrate) are often made into enteric-coated tablets and enemas for the treatment of intestinal diseases such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and irritable bowel syndrome.
• Component of Topical Preparations: Its acidity can inhibit the growth of fungi (e.g., Candida) and bacteria on the skin surface, so it can be used to prepare topical ointments or lotions for the treatment of acne and skin fungal infections. It can also act as a transdermal absorption enhancer to help drugs penetrate the skin barrier.
• Pharmaceutical Synthesis Intermediate: Used in the synthesis of butyrate drugs (such as hydrocortisone butyrate, a glucocorticoid used for anti-inflammation and anti-allergy) and antiepileptic drugs.

3.3 Chemical Industry

• Organic Synthesis Intermediate: A core raw material for the preparation of butyrate compounds, such as ethyl butyrate (flavor), butyl butyrate (solvent, plasticizer), and glycerol tributyrate (food emulsifier, feed additive). It can also be used to synthesize butyric anhydride (acylating agent for dye and resin synthesis) and butyronitrile (rubber raw material).
• Solvent and Plasticizer: Can be used as a solvent for nitrocellulose, cellulose acetate, and resins, and in the preparation of coatings and inks. Its derivatives (such as butyrates) are excellent plasticizers for plastics and rubber, improving the flexibility and cold resistance of products.
• Raw Material for Surfactants: Butyrate surfactants generated by the reaction with alcohols can be used in detergents and cosmetics, with good emulsifying and decontaminating capabilities.

3.4 Agricultural Field

• Feed Additive: Its salts (such as calcium butyrate and zinc butyrate) are mainly used, which can inhibit the reproduction of molds (e.g., aflatoxin) in feed, extend the shelf life of feed, improve the intestinal health of livestock and poultry (e.g., preventing diarrhea in piglets), promote nutrient absorption, and enhance breeding efficiency.
• Pesticide Raw Material: Used in the synthesis of herbicides (such as alachlor) and insecticides, which have targeted killing effects on weeds and pests and high safety for crops.

4. Safety Information

4.1 Hazard Classification

According to Hazardous Chemical Classification (GB 30000), it is classified as Skin Corrosion/Irritation (Category 1B), Serious Eye Damage/Eye Irritation (Category 1), and Flammable Liquid (Category 3).

4.2 Health Hazards

• Skin Contact: The liquid or high-concentration vapor can irritate the skin, causing redness, pain, and burns; long-term contact may cause contact dermatitis.
• Eye Contact: Direct contact can cause severe irritation, leading to pain, tearing, corneal damage, and even blindness.
• Inhalation Hazard: High-concentration vapor (e.g., poor ventilation during operation) can irritate the respiratory tract, causing coughing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing; excessive inhalation may lead to pulmonary edema.
• Oral Hazard: Accidental ingestion can burn the mouth, esophagus, and gastrointestinal tract, causing symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and bleeding; severe cases may damage internal organs.

4.3 Protective Measures

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Wear acid-resistant gloves (e.g., nitrile gloves), chemical safety goggles (or face shields), and anti-chemical masks (e.g., N95 or gas masks in high-concentration environments) during operation. For large-scale operations, wear acid-resistant protective clothing to avoid direct skin contact.
• Operating Environment: Operate in a well-ventilated area (e.g., equipped with an exhaust system), keep away from open flames and heat sources (e.g., heaters, welding equipment), and prohibit mixing or storing with strong oxidants (e.g., potassium chlorate, potassium permanganate) and strong bases (e.g., sodium hydroxide).

4.4 First-Aid Measures

• Skin Contact: Immediately remove contaminated clothing, rinse the contact area with a large amount of running water for at least 15 minutes, and seek medical attention if burns or increased pain occur.
• Eye Contact: Immediately open the eyelids, rinse continuously with physiological saline or running water for 15 minutes, avoid rubbing the eyes, and seek medical attention immediately after rinsing.
• Inhalation: Quickly move the patient to a place with fresh air and keep the respiratory tract unobstructed. If breathing is difficult, provide oxygen (do not feed anything), and seek medical attention immediately.
• Oral Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting (to avoid esophageal burns); immediately have the patient take a large amount of milk or egg white (to neutralize acidity and protect the mucosa), and take the product label to seek medical attention.

4.5 Storage and Transportation

• Storage Conditions: Seal and store in a cool (temperature ≤ 30℃), dry, and well-ventilated warehouse; keep away from ignition sources and heat sources; store separately from oxidants, strong bases, and food raw materials, and strictly prohibit mixed storage. Use acid-resistant containers (e.g., polyethylene barrels, glass bottles) for packaging, and regularly check the sealing to prevent leakage.
• Transportation Requirements: Transport as a hazardous chemical (UN Number: 2820). The transport vehicle must be equipped with fire-fighting equipment (e.g., dry powder fire extinguishers) and emergency leakage treatment equipment (e.g., sand, absorbent cotton). Avoid severe collisions, exposure to sunlight, and high temperatures during transportation, and prohibit carrying unrelated personnel or goods.