Material Safety Data Sheet: Butyl Acetate

Identification

Substance name: Butyl Acetate
Common product names: n-Butyl Acetate, Acetic Acid Butyl Ester, Butyl Ethanoate
CAS Number: 123-86-4
EC Number: 204-658-1
Recommended use: Solvent in paints, coatings, inks, adhesives, thinners, extraction processes
Supplier: Chemical manufacturers and distributors worldwide
Emergency phone: Available through regional poison control centers and chemical emergencies hotlines

Hazard Identification

Classification: Flammable liquid (Category 3), Eye irritation (Category 2A), Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure (Category 3), Narcotic effects
Hazard statements: Flammable liquid and vapor, causes serious eye irritation, may cause drowsiness or dizziness
Signal word: Warning
Pictograms: Flame, Exclamation mark
Precautionary statements: Keep away from heat, sparks, open flames; avoid breathing vapors; use only outdoors or in well-ventilated areas; wear protective gloves and eye protection

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical identity: n-Butyl Acetate
Common synonyms: Butyl ethanoate, Butyl ester of acetic acid
Chemical formula: C₆H₁₂O₂
Concentration: 98–100% (commercial grade)
Impurities: Trace amounts of isomers, water, acetic acid, and other residual solvents depending on manufacturing process
Other hazards: Not classified as PBT (Persistent, Bioaccumulative, Toxic) or vPvB (very Persistent and very Bioaccumulative)

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move person to fresh air; keep at rest in position comfortable for breathing; seek medical attention if symptoms develop or persist
Skin contact: Remove contaminated clothing; rinse skin with plenty of soap and water; use emergency shower; get medical help for irritation
Eye contact: Rinse immediately with water for at least 15 minutes, holding eyelids open; consult healthcare provider right away
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting; rinse mouth thoroughly with water and drink small amounts; never give to unconscious persons; contact poison control or medical professional right away
Acute symptoms: Headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, irritation of skin, eyes, respiratory tract

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable extinguishing media: Foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide, water spray (fog)
Unsuitable media: Direct jet of water (can spread fire)
Hazardous combustion products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, irritant fumes and smoke
Protective equipment for firefighters: Full protective suit, self-contained breathing apparatus, heat- and chemical-resistant gloves
Firefighting advice: Cool exposed containers with water spray, clear area of all non-essential personnel, stay upwind to avoid fumes, contain runoff to prevent environmental contamination

Accidental Release Measures

Personal precautions: Remove ignition sources, ventilate area, limit unnecessary entry, use personal protective equipment to prevent exposure
Environmental precautions: Prevent spill from entering sewers, waterways, soil; use dikes and absorbents if needed
Clean-up methods: Absorb with suitable inert material (sand, earth, vermiculite), shovel into labelled containers for disposal, wash area well after pick-up, follow regulations for waste disposal
Emergency procedures: Notify emergency services in large spills, evacuate non-essential personnel, report to local authorities if significant environmental release occurs

Handling and Storage

Handling: Avoid inhaling vapors or mist, prevent skin and eye contact, prohibit smoking and open flames in handling area, ground and bond containers during liquid transfer, use spark-resistant tools and explosion-proof equipment
Storage: Store in tightly closed original container in dry, cool, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight and incompatible materials (acids, oxidizers, strong bases), use flammable-liquids storage practices, maintain containers upright and secure
Special notes: Do not reuse empty containers without proper cleaning; keep out of reach of children; observe guidance for workplace exposure prevention and emergency procedures

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational exposure limits: OSHA PEL: 150 ppm TWA (n-butyl acetate), ACGIH TLV: 50 ppm TWA
Engineering controls: Use local exhaust ventilation to reduce airborne exposures, ensure emergency eyewash stations and showers are accessible
Personal protective equipment: Safety goggles, impervious gloves (nitrile or neoprene), flame-resistant protective clothing, organic vapor respirator if ventilation is inadequate
Hygiene measures: Wash thoroughly after handling, remove contaminated clothing and shoes promptly, no eating, drinking or smoking in work area

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Colorless, clear liquid
Odor: Fruity, sweet aroma
Odor threshold: 0.2 ppm (detection level varies)
Boiling point: 126°C (259°F)
Melting point: -78°C (-108°F)
Flash point: 27°C (81°F, closed cup)
Auto-ignition temperature: 421°C (790°F)
Flammability limits: Lower 1.7% by vol, Upper 7.6% by vol
Vapor pressure: 10 mm Hg at 20°C
Vapor density: 4.0 (air = 1)
Solubility: Slightly soluble in water (0.7g/100ml at 20°C); fully miscible with most organic solvents
Density: 0.882 g/cm³ at 20°C
Partition coefficient (log Kow): 1.78
Evaporation rate: 3.1 (n-butyl acetate = 1, relative scale)

Stability and Reactivity

Stability: Stable under recommended storage and handling conditions
Incompatible materials: Strong oxidizers, acids, alkalis, strong reducing agents, moisture can lead to hydrolysis
Hazardous reactions: Polymerization does not occur easily, but may react with strong chemicals
Conditions to avoid: Heat, flames, sparks, static discharge, exposure to strong oxidizers
Decomposition products: Burning results in carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, irritating volatile organic compounds

Toxicological Information

Acute toxicity: Oral LD₅₀ (rat): 10,768 mg/kg; Dermal LD₅₀ (rabbit): >17,600 mg/kg; Inhalation LC₅₀ (rat): >21 mg/L (4 h)
Skin irritation: Can cause mild or moderate irritation with prolonged exposure
Eye irritation: Causes redness, tearing, pain on contact
Respiratory effects: Short-term inhalation can depress central nervous system, produce headache, dizziness, drowsiness, possible nausea
Chronic effects: Repeated exposure can cause dermatitis and respiratory tract irritation; no data supporting mutagenicity or carcinogenicity in standard animal studies

Ecological Information

Aquatic toxicity: LC₅₀ (96 h, fish): 18 mg/L (fathead minnow); EC₅₀ (48 h, daphnia): 44 mg/L
Microbial effects: Moderately toxic to aquatic invertebrates and microorganisms
Environmental fate: Readily biodegradable in standard lab conditions, low potential for bioaccumulation (log Kow 1.78), evaporates fairly rapidly from surfaces
Soil mobility: Moderate mobility in soil, partial leaching to groundwater possible if released in quantity
Persistence and degradability: Biodegrades within days to weeks in favorable environmental conditions

Disposal Considerations

Waste management: Dispose through licensed chemical disposal contractor, follow national and local regulations for flammable solvents
Methods: Incinerate under controlled conditions with flue gas scrubbing; recycle and reuse if safe purification is possible; never pour into drains or waterways
Container disposal: Empty containers must be triple-rinsed, punctured or crushed before discarding, handled as hazardous waste
Precautions: Store waste in closed, appropriate containers; segregate from incompatible materials

Transport Information

UN Number: UN 1123
Proper shipping name: Butyl Acetate
Transport hazard class: 3 (Flammable liquids)
Packing group: III
Labels: Flammable liquid (Red, pictogram)
Special provisions: Secure packaging to prevent leaks; ensure vehicles display correct placards; comply with international ADR/RID, IMDG, IATA/ICAO standards
Environmental hazards: Product is not a marine pollutant according to IMDG code
Transport in bulk: ERG code 3L; follow specific regulations for large volume tankers

Regulatory Information

EU: Classified according to Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008 (CLP), listed in REACH Annex IV/V
US: Listed on TSCA inventory, subject to SARA Title III, Section 313 reporting requirements if thresholds exceeded
Canada: Listed on DSL/NDSL
Japan: Listed on ENCS, requires workplace hazard communication
Other regions: Listed or exempted on main global inventories (Australia AICS, Philippines PICCS, China IECSC, Korea ECL)
Workplace controls: Requires labeling, Safety Data Sheet availability, and training for all exposed employees in most regulatory environments
Community right-to-know: Covered in hazardous substance inventories for public disclosure