Butyl acetate, also known as n-butyl acetate or butyl ethanoate, is a clear, colorless liquid with a fruity odor, commonly used as a solvent and flavoring agent.

Here’s a more detailed look at butyl acetate:

Chemical Properties and Characteristics:

  • Formula: C6H12O2
  • Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid with a fruity odor
  • Solubility: Miscible with many common organic solvents (alcohols, ketones, esters) but has low solubility in water
  • Boiling Point: Around 126 °C
  • Melting Point: -78 °C
  • Density: 0.8822 g/cm3
  • Flammability: Flammable
  • Flash Point: Around 23 °C 
Uses and Applications:
  • Solvent: A common solvent in various industries, including coatings, lacquers, adhesives, and inks. 
  • Food Industry: Used as a flavoring agent, imparting a fruity or banana-like taste. 
  • Cosmetics and Pharmaceuticals: Used as an organic solvent in these industries.
Other Applications:

In nail polish formulations, it helps dissolve and suspend other components. In photographic film production. 
As a solvent for film-formers like cellulose acetate butyrate, nitrocellulose, and polyesters. In polyurethane (PU) systems, particularly in automotive paints.

As a biofuel additive.
  • Production: Butyl acetate is produced by the esterification reaction of butanol and acetic acid. 
  • Safety Considerations: Flammable: Butyl acetate is a flammable liquid, so it should be handled with care and kept away from ignition sources. 
  • Irritant: Breathing butyl acetate vapors can irritate the nose and throat, and prolonged or repeated skin contact can cause cracking and drying. 
  • Toxicity: Butyl acetate has low toxicity