Butyl Acetate

Excerpt from ERG Guide 129 [Flammable Liquids (Water-Miscible / Noxious)]:

Use AFFF, alcohol-resistant foam, dry powder, carbon dioxide. In case of fire: keep drums, etc., cool by spraying with water.

Fresh air, rest. Refer for medical attention.

Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse skin with plenty of water or shower.

First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then refer for medical attention.

Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting. Refer for medical attention .

EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.

(General first aid procedures)

Hazardous decomposition products formed under fire conditions: Carbon oxides.

Its vapors are heavier than air.

Suitable extinguishing media: Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide.

Advice for firefighters: Wear self contained breathing apparatus for fire fighting if necessary.

If material on fire or involved in a fire: Do not extinguish fire unless flow can be stopped. Use water in flooding quantities as fog. Solid streams of water may spread fire. Cool all affected containers with flooding quantities of water. Apply water from as far a distance as possible. Use foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide. /Butyl acetates/

ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES: Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures: Use personal protective equipment. Avoid breathing vapors, mist or gas. Remove all sources of ignition. Beware of vapors accumulating to form explosive concentrations. Vapors can accumulate in low areas. Environmental precautions: Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so. Do not let product enter drains. Discharge into the environment must be avoided. Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up: Contain spillage, and then collect with an electrically protected vacuum cleaner or by wet-brushing and place in container for disposal according to local regulations.

Environmental considerations: Land spill: Dig a pit, pond, lagoon, or holding area to contain liquid or solid material /SRP: If time permits, pits, ponds, lagoons, soak holes, or holding areas should be sealed with an impermeable flexible membrane liner./ Dike surface flow using soil, sand bags, foamed polyurethane, or foamed concrete. Absorb bulk liquid with fly ash or cement powder. Apply appropriate foam to diminish vapor and fire hazard. /Butyl acetates/

Environmental considerations: Water spill: Use natural barriers or oil spill control booms to limit spill travel. Use surface active agent (eg detergent, soaps, alcohols), if approved by EPA. Inject "universal" gelling agent to solidify encircled spill and increased effectiveness of booms. If dissolved, in region of 10 ppm or greater concentration, apply activated carbon at ten times the spilled amount. Remove trapped material with suction hoses. Use mechanical dredges or lifts to remove immobilized masses of pollutants and precipitates. /Butyl acetates/

Environmental considerations: Air spill: Apply water spray or mist to knock down vapors. /Butyl acetates/

The waste waters from the production of antibiotics contain certain quantities of butyl acetate or butanol. For the purpose of their purification by removal of these organic solvents a technology and an installation have been created. The installation described operates steadily with waters tending to cause settling of solids, when heated in a heat exchanger or when decreasing the concentration of the organic solvent in the stripping column. The investigation of the industrial column shows a degree of purification of 99-100% at different regimes of operation. The five year exploitation of the installation for removal of butyl acetate and the two year operation of that for the removal of butanol showed that the solids coagulating from waste water did not settle on the apparatus walls.

SRP: Recycle any unused portion of the material for its approved use or return it to the manufacturer or supplier. Ultimate disposal of the chemical must consider: the material's impact on air quality; potential migration in air, soil or water; effects on animal, aquatic and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations. If it is possible or reasonable use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational harm/injury/toxicity or environmental contamination.

Product: Burn in a chemical incinerator equipped with an afterburner and scrubber but exert extra care in igniting as this material is highly flammable. Offer surplus and non-recyclable solutions to a licensed disposal company. Contact a licensed professional waste disposal service to dispose of this material. Contaminated packaging: Dispose of as unused product.

SRP: Wastewater from contaminant suppression, cleaning of protective clothing/equipment, or contaminated sites should be contained and evaluated for subject chemical or decomposition product concentrations. Concentrations shall be lower than applicable environmental discharge or disposal criteria. Alternatively, pretreatment and/or discharge to a permitted wastewater treatment facility is acceptable only after review by the governing authority and assurance that "pass through" violations will not occur. Due consideration shall be given to remediation worker exposure (inhalation, dermal and ingestion) as well as fate during treatment, transfer and disposal. If it is not practicable to manage the chemical in this fashion, it must be evaluated in accordance with EPA 40 CFR Part 261, specifically Subpart B, in order to determine the appropriate local, state and federal requirements for disposal.

Personal protection: filter respirator for organic gases and vapours adapted to the airborne concentration of the substance. Ventilation. Remove all ignition sources. Collect leaking and spilled liquid in sealable metal or glass containers as far as possible. Absorb remaining liquid in sand or inert absorbent. Then store and dispose of according to local regulations.

n-Butyl acetate was detected in the expired breath of 3 of 8 human subjects at an expiration rate of 8.7-41.0 ug/hr(1). n-Butyl acetate was detected in 31 % of 387 expired air samples collected from 54 human volunteers at a mean concentration of 0.2 ng/L(2).

The effects of combined exposure to n-butyl alcohol and n-butyl acetate on rotarod performance and hot plate behavior in rats and respiratory rate in mice were investigated in the condition of an acute inhalation experiment. Rotarod performance and hot-plate behavior were tested in rats exposed to various concentrations of n-butyl alcohol, n-butyl acetate and their mixture consisting of 50 vol-% n-butyl alcohol and 50 vol-% n-butyl acetate immediately after termination of a 4 hr exposure period. The respiratory rate in mice was recorded continuously before the exposure to solvents, during 6 min of exposure and 6 min after termination of exposure using whole body plethysmographic method. Mice were exposed to vapors of single solvents and their 50:50 vol-% mixture. Both solvents and their mixture caused concentration-dependent disturbances of rotarod performance in rat. The medial effective concentration (EC50) for the effect amounted to 7559 ppm, 8339 ppm, and 10,672 ppm for n-butyl alcohol, n-butyl acetate and their mixture, respectively. Both solvents and their mixture decreased sensitivity to the pain and changes were concentration -dependent. In condition of combined exposure the results obtained in rotarod and hot-plate behavior test indicate the summation of individual solvent effects. The tested solvents resulted in concentration-dependent decrease in respiratory rate in mice. n-Butyl alcohol produced maximal decrease in respiratory rate in the first minute of exposure whereas n-butyl acetate in the sixth minute.

Adult female SPF rats (strain: Sprague-Dawley) were treated with 790 mg ethanol/kg body weight by intraperitoneal injection 30 minutes after the beginning of a 5-hr-inhalation of about 1,000 ppm n-butyl acetate in air via a tracheotomy tube (under urethane anesthesia). The elimination of the ethanol from blood which was increased to about 24 mmol/L (1.1%, g/v) was not delayed during the initial linear phase as compared to control (ethanol treatment without inhalation of n-butyl acetate). During inhalation approximately 24 mumol n-butyl acetate/L were measured in blood without ethanol treatment and approximately 52 mumol n-butanol/L as a metabolite of n-butyl acetate. The n-butanol content in blood was doubled under ethanol treatment. This increase is explained by substrate competition of both alcohols at the alcohol dehydrogenase with ethanol excess.

... The developmental toxic potential ... was examined in Sprague-Dawley rats following whole body inhalation exposure, 6 hr /per/ day, from day 6 to 20 of gestation. ... The developmental toxic effects of simultaneous exposures to ethylbenzene (EB) and /n-butyl acetate/ BA, or to toluene (TOL) and BA were evaluated. Pregnant rats were administered EB (0, 250 or 1000 ppm) and BA (0, 500 or 1500 ppm), or TOL (0, 500 or 1500 ppm) and BA (0, 500, 1500 ppm), separately and in combinations, using a 2 x 2 factorial design. The maternal weight gain was reduced after exposure to 1000 ppm EB, to 1500 ppm BA, or to 1500 ppm TOL, either alone or in binary combinations. A significant reduction of fetal weight was associated with exposure to 1000 ppm EB alone, to either mixtures of EB with BA, or to 1500 ppm TOL alone or combined with BA at either concentration. No embryolethal or teratogenic effects were observed whatever the exposure. There was no evidence of interaction between EB and BA or between TOL and BA in causing maternal or developmental effects.

LC50; Species: Chlorococcales (Green Algae Order); Conditions: freshwater, static; Concentration: 1200000 ug/L for 24 hr /formulation/

LC50; Species: Daphnia magna (Water Flea) age < or =24 hr; Conditions: freshwater, static, 20-22 °C; Concentration: 205000 ug/L for 24 hr /formulation/

LC50; Species: Lepomis macrochirus (Bluegill); Conditions: static bioassay in fresh water, mild aeration applied after 24 hr, 23 °C; Concentration: 100 ppm for 96 hr

LC50; Species: Menidia beryllina (Inland silverside); Conditions: static bioassay in synthetic seawater, mild aeration applied after 24 hr, 23 °C; Concentration: 185 ppm for 96 hr

For more Ecotoxicity Values (Complete) data for n-Butyl acetate (12 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 19(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that n-butyl acetate is expected to have very high mobility in soil(SRC). Volatilization of n-butyl acetate from moist soil surfaces is expected to be an important fate process(SRC) given a Henry's Law constant of 2.81X10-4 atm-cu m/mole(3). n-Butyl acetate is expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon a vapor pressure of 11.5 mm Hg at 25 °C(4). Using a standard BOD dilution technique and a sewage inoculum, theoretical BODs of 56% to 86% were observed during 5 and 20 day incubation periods(5), suggesting that n-butyl acetate may biodegrade in soil(SRC).

AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 19(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that n-butyl acetate is not expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment(SRC). Volatilization from water surfaces is expected(3) based upon a Henry's Law constant of 2.81X10-4 atm-cu m/mole(4). Using this Henry's Law constant and an estimation method(3), volatilization half-lives for a model river and model lake are 6.5 hours and 5.3 days, respectively(SRC). According to a classification scheme(5), an estimated BCF of 7(SRC), from its log Kow of 1.78(6) and a regression-derived equation(2), suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low(SRC). Hydrolysis may be an important environmental fate for this compound based upon experimentally determined hydrolysis half-lives of 2 yrs and 78 days at pH 7 and 8, respectively(2). Using river water as seed, 5-day and 20-day theoretical BODs of 20.9% and 55.4%, respectively, were measured(7), suggesting that biodegradation may be an important environmental fate process in water(SRC).

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), n-butyl acetate, which has a vapor pressure of 11.5 mm Hg at 25 °C(2), is expected to exist solely as a vapor in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase n-butyl acetate is degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals(SRC); the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be 3.2 days(SRC), calculated from its rate constant of 4.9X10-12 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(3). n-Butyl acetate does not contain chromophores that absorb at wavelengths >290 nm(4) and, therefore, is not expected to be susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight(SRC).

n-Butyl acetate has been detected as a volatile flavor component of baked potatoes(1) and roasted filbert nuts(2). It has been identified as a naturally occurring flavor and fragrance component of apples(3). n-Butyl acetate has been identified in cheese volatiles(4), apricots and plumbs(5), dalieb fruit(6), apples(7,8), volatiles of chickpea seeds(9) and nectarines(10). n-Butyl acetate was not detected in scrambled eggs made from supermarket purchased, fresh unstored or fresh stored eggs(11).

The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its vapour.

inhalation, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact

Safe in the present practices of use and concentration. Ingredient, concentration, and use information are available in documents discoverable at https://cir-reports.cir-safety.org

IDENTIFICATION AND USE: n-Butyl acetate is a colorless liquid. It is used in manufacture of lacquer, artificial leather, photographic films, plastics, and safety glass. It is also used as an organic solvent and synthetic flavoring ingredient. HUMAN STUDIES: Male and female volunteers were exposed to different concentrations of n-butyl acetate vapor for 2 to 5 minutes. With exposure at 200 ppm for 3 to 5 minutes, the majority of the subjects complained of throat irritation; at 300 ppm for 3 to 5 minutes, the majority reported eye and nose irritation and severe throat irritation. In cases of severe overexposure, weakness, drowsiness, and unconsciousness have been seen. Chronic exposure to n-butyl acetate in humans has been associated with mild skin irritation. Repeated contact of the skin with the liquid may lead to defatting and cracking. Workers exposed chronically to n-butyl acetate have reported conjunctival irritation, feeling of chest constriction, and coughing. However, permanent lesions of the eyes and respiratory tract and other systemic effects have been reported in an occupational setting only when n-butyl acetate is present in a mixture with other solvents, and these effects appear to be due to the other solvents. ANIMAL STUDIES: n-Butyl acetate showed no sensitization potential when tested in a maximization test using guinea-pigs. Following 24 hr application of 0.01 mL of the neat material to the clipped skin of five albino rabbits, n-butyl acetate was slightly irritating. Guinea pigs exposed for 1 to 810 minutes at vapor concentration of 0.33, 0.7, or 1.4% by volume of n-butyl acetate were examined. At 0.33%, only eye irritation occurred. Irritation of the nose and eyes, lacrimation, incoordination, CNS depression, and respiratory disturbances were noted at the two higher concentration. Deaths were recorded only at the 1.4% concentration after 4 hours and occurred during exposure; slight to moderate congestion of the brain, lungs, and kidneys were noted. In mice, minimally effective concentrations for activity-decreasing effects were 2000 ppm for ethyl acetate and 8000 ppm for n-butyl acetate. The mutagenicity of n-butyl acetate in Salmonella typhimurium (TA98, TA100, TA1535, TA1537, and TA1538) and Escherichia coli (WP2uvrA) was examined. The mutation test was performed in the absence and presence of rat microsomal activation. No mutagenic activity was observed with n-butyl acetate.

Butyl acetate has been identified as a naturally occurring component of apples(1). Butyl acetate was reported in the skin and pulp of Queen Anne's pocket melon (Cucumis melo L) at 123.9 and 110.5 ug/kg, respectively(2). n-Butyl acetate was detected in the head space of golden delicious apples 1, 5, 8, 12, 14, 16, 19 and 22 days after harvesting at concentrations of 0.53, 1.73, 15.35, 64.97, 81.45, 78.25, 79.41 and 71.12 ug/6 L head space, respectively(3). n-Butyl acetate was detected as a volatile component of Miyabi variety of Japanese muskmelon(4).

n-Butyl acetate occurrence in plants(1).[Table#503]

Cough. Sore throat. Dizziness. Headache.

Dry skin.

Redness. Pain.

Nausea.

irritation eyes, skin, upper respiratory system; headache, drowsiness, narcosis

The following link will take the user to the National Toxicology Program (NTP) Test Status of Agents Search page, which tabulates the results and current status of tests such as "Short-Term Toxicity Studies", "Long-term Carcinogenicity Studies", "Developmental Studies", "Genetic Toxicology Studies", etc., performed with this chemical. Testing status for n-butyl acetate is available.[Available from, as of March 27, 2018: https://ntpsearch.niehs.nih.gov/?e=True&ContentType=Testing+Status]

EPA has released the Interactive Chemical Safety for Sustainability (iCSS) Dashboard. The iCSS Dashboard provides an interactive tool to explore rapid, automated (or in vitro high-throughput) chemical screening data generated by the Toxicity Forecaster (ToxCast) project and the federal Toxicity Testing in the 21st century (Tox21) collaboration. /The title compound was tested by ToxCast and/or Tox21 assays/[USEPA; ICSS Dashboard Application; Available from, as of March 27, 2018: http://actor.epa.gov/dashboard/]

Butyl acetate is an indirect food additive for use only as a component of adhesives.

Butyl acetate is a food additive permitted for direct addition to food for human consumption as a synthetic flavoring substance and adjuvant in accordance with the following conditions: a) they are used in the minimum quantity required to produce their intended effect, and otherwise in accordance with all the principles of good manufacturing practice, and 2) they consist of one or more of the following, used alone or in combination with flavoring substances and adjuvants generally recognized as safe in food, prior-sanctioned for such use, or regulated by an appropriate section in this part.

This action promulgates standards of performance for equipment leaks of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) in the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry (SOCMI). The intended effect of these standards is to require all newly constructed, modified, and reconstructed SOCMI process units to use the best demonstrated system of continuous emission reduction for equipment leaks of VOC, considering costs, non air quality health and environmental impact and energy requirements. n-Butyl acetate is produced, as an intermediate or final product, by process units covered under this subpart.

Persons in charge of vessels or facilities are required to notify the National Response Center (NRC) immediately, when there is a release of this designated hazardous substance, in an amount equal to or greater than its reportable quantity of 5000 lb or 2270 kg. The toll free number of the NRC is (800) 424-8802. The rule for determining when notification is required is stated in 40 CFR 302.4 (section IV. D.3.b).

Butyl acetate is designated as a hazardous substance under section 311(b)(2)(A) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and further regulated by the Clean Water Act Amendments of 1977 and 1978. These regulations apply to discharges of this substance. This designation includes any isomers and hydrates, as well as any solutions and mixtures containing this substance.

CIR ingredient: Butyl Acetate

Used in solvent mixtures and to produce nitrocellulose lacquers, photographic film, nail polish removers, perfumes, oils, fats, vinyl resins, and camphor; Also used in food preservatives, inks, and printing processes; Occurs naturally in bananas; [ACGIH] In semiconductor manufacturing, n-butyl acetate is used to develop the pattern in the photoresists; [CHS, p. 44]

Semiconductor Manufacturing [Category: Industry]

Manufacture of lacquer, artificial leather, photographic films, plastics, safety glass. Organic solvent.

Butyl acetate is used primarily in coatings. It is a good solvent with low volatility. The lacquer and enamel industries employ butyl acetate as a solvent for making acylic polymers, vinyl resins, and nitrocellulose. Other industries utilizing the acetate as solvent include printing, photographic, adhesives, extraction, and pharmaceutical.

Reported uses (ppm):

(1972) 9.71X10+9 G

(1975) 5.7X10+8 G

(1984) 1.63x10+10 g

(1972) 1.99X10+7 G

(1975) 3.94X10+7 G

(1984) 1.54X10+9 g

2023: 250,000,000 - <400,000,000 lb

(1972) 4.34X10+10 G

(1975) 3.65X10+10 G

(1993) 1.32378X10+8 kilograms

Acetic acid, butyl ester is listed as a High Production Volume (HPV) chemical (65FR81686). Chemicals listed as HPV were produced in or imported into the U.S. in >1 million pounds in 1990 and/or 1994. The HPV list is based on the 1990 Inventory Update Rule. (IUR) (40 CFR part 710 subpart B; 51FR21438).

For more U.S. Production (Complete) data for n-Butyl acetate (7 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

95% USED IN THE PROTECTIVE COATINGS INDUSTRY AS A SOLVENT AND THINNER; AND 5% IN MISC APPLICATIONS (1965)

Nitrocellulose-based lacquers, 63%; Exports, 27%; Ink solvent, 5%; Adhesives solvent, 2%; Other solvent uses, 3% (1985)

CHEMICAL PROFILE: n-Butyl Acetate. Lacquer solvent, primarily for wooden furniture and auto top-coat applications, 55%; exports, 35%; others, including adhesive and pharmaceutical solvents, 10%.

CHEMICAL PROFILE: n-Butyl acetate. Demand: 1986: 185 million lb; 1987: 192 million lb; 1991 /projected/: 215 million lb (Includes exports; imports were 5.8 million lb in 1986).

Demand: (1992) 225 million lb; (1993) 230 million lb; (1997) /projected/ 250 million lb. (Includes exports of over 150 million lb in 1992, but not imports which were 32 million lb in 1992.)

Prepared from acetic acid and butyl alcohol ... .

Esterification of butanol and acetic acid produces butyl acetate. The catalyst is sulfuric acid. The removal of water by azeotropic separation forces the reaction to completion. The acid catalyst is neutralized and the ester purified by distillation.

Fragrance Ingredients

Flavouring Agent -> FLAVOURING_AGENT -> JECFA Functional Classes

Flavoring Agents -> JECFA Flavorings Index

Flavouring Agent -> FLAVOURING_AGENT -> JECFA Functional Classes

Flavouring Agent -> FLAVOURING_AGENT -> JECFA Functional Classes

Cosmetics -> Solvent

Printing Ink Manufacturing

Acetic acid, butyl ester: ACTIVE

A new lipase preparation from Rhizopus oryzae was used to catalyze the esterification reaction between acetic acid and butanol to produce butyl acetate ester (pineapple flavor). This flavor compound can be used in food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Only 3% of butyl acetate was obtained when free lipase was used in the synthesis containing only the substrates. In contrast, the conversion yield reached 25% when immobilized lipase was used under the same conditions. The synthesis of butyl acetate catalyzed by immobilized lipase in nonconventional media was optimized. A maximum conversion yield of 60% in a solvent-free system was obtained under the following conditions: amount of immobilized lipase, 500 IU; amount of initially added water, 45%; acetic acid/butanol molar ratio, 1:1; and in incubation temperature, 37 °C. Immobilized lipase could be repeatedly used for three cycles without a decrease in synthesis activity. The production of butyl acetate esters by immobilized R. oryzae lipase was also studied in the presence of organic solvents. Compared with a solvent-free system, the synthesis activity was improved in the presence of heptane and hexane with conversion yields of 80% and 76%, respectively. However, solvent-free systems tend to purify more easily the products without any toxicity and inflammability problems.