Sec-Butyl acetate
Chemical compound
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
sec-Butyl acetate, or s-butyl acetate, is an ester commonly used as a solvent in lacquers and enamels, where it is used in the production of acyclic polymers, vinyl resins, and nitrocellulose.[3] It is a clear flammable liquid with a sweet smell.[4]
| Names | |
|---|---|
| Preferred IUPAC name
Butan-2-yl acetate[1] | |
Other names
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| Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol) |
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| ChemSpider | |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.003.001 |
PubChem CID |
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| UNII | |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA) |
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| Properties | |
| C6H12O2 | |
| Molar mass | 116.160 g·mol−1 |
| Appearance | Clear, liquid |
| Odor | Fruity[2] |
| Density | 0.87 g/cm3, liquid |
| Melting point | −99 °C (−146 °F; 174 K) |
| Boiling point | 112 °C (234 °F; 385 K) |
| 0.80 g/100 mL | |
| Vapor pressure | 10 mmHg[2] |
| Hazards | |
| Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH): | |
Main hazards |
Flammable |
| Flash point | 17 °C; 62 °F; 290 K[2] |
| Explosive limits | 1.7–9.8%[2] |
| NIOSH (US health exposure limits): | |
PEL (Permissible) |
TWA 200 ppm (950 mg/m3)[2] |
REL (Recommended) |
TWA 200 ppm (950 mg/m3)[2] |
IDLH (Immediate danger) |
1700 ppm[2] |
| Safety data sheet (SDS) | External MSDS |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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sec-Butyl acetate has three isomers that are also acetate esters: n-butyl acetate, isobutyl acetate, and tert-butyl acetate.
History
The first method of production of sec-butyl acetate was the esterification of sec-butanol and acetic anhydride[5] It was experimentally determined and published in 1946 by Rolf Altschul.[6]
Toxicology
The LD50 for rats is 13 g/kg.[7] Exposure in humans to significant quantities of sec-butyl acetate can cause irritation to the eyes, mouth, throat, nose, and skin.[8] Ingestion and inhalation of sec-butyl acetate can cause central nervous system depression producing symptoms of dizziness and disorientation.[8]
Nomenclature
sec-Butyl acetate is chiral. It has one stereocenter, carbon 2 in the sec-butyl group. The names of the two enantiomers are:
- [(2S)-butan-2-yl] acetate, (+)-sec-butyl acetate
- [(2R)-butan-2-yl] acetate, (−)-sec-butyl acetate

