N-butyl Formate

n-Butyl formate, also known as butyl methanoate, is the esterification product of formic acid and n-butanol; it is a low-boiling, fast-drying formate ester solvent. It appears as a colorless, transparent liquid with a pungent odor or a fruity aroma reminiscent of plums or pineapples. It is slightly soluble in water and miscible with most organic solvents, such as ethanol, diethyl ether, benzene, and acetone.

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Product Introduction

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Primary Uses

Industrial fast-drying solvent: N-Butyl formate can effectively dissolve oils, waxes, rosin, nitrocellulose, and cellulose acetate.; widely used as a thinner for nitrocellulose lacquers and acrylic resin coatings, as well as a fast-drying solvent in the manufacture of photographic film and artificial leather.
Food and personal care fragrance ingredient: Possesses a pleasant fruity aroma; approved as a food flavoring under GB 2760 and commonly used to formulate food flavorings such as pineapple, banana, plum, and apple; also utilized in fragrance formulations for personal care products.
Organic synthesis intermediate: Serves as a building block for introducing formyl or butoxy groups in organic synthesis, used in the preparation of other ester compounds or pharmaceuticals.

Safety and Toxicology

Acute toxicity: N-butyl formate is classified as having low toxicity.; the oral LD₅₀ for rabbits is approximately 2656 mg/kg. However, high concentrations of vapor exert a pronounced anesthetic effect.
Irritation: Strongly irritating to the eyes and the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract; human inhalation of 43.5 g/m³ for one minute can cause significant eye irritation and respiratory distress. Prolonged contact with the liquid causes defatting of the skin.
Fire and explosion hazards: Highly flammable; its vapor can form explosive mixtures with air, with an explosive limit range of approximately 1.6%–8.3% (v/v). The vapor is heavier than air and can easily ignite and flash back upon contact with open flames or high heat sources.
Hydrolysis and corrosion: Chemically relatively unstable; it readily hydrolyzes upon contact with water, acids, or bases to form highly corrosive formic acid. Consequently, containers must be kept sealed and acidity levels checked regularly during storage; copper containers are unsuitable for use.