Product Name: 2-Butoxy-1-Propanol
Chemical Formula: C7H16O2
Synonyms: Propylene glycol butyl ether, 1-Butoxy-2-propanol
CAS Number: 5131-66-8
Recommended Use: Solvent in paints and coatings, degreasers, cleaning formulations, and inks
Supplier: Industrial chemical manufacturers and distributors servicing paint, coatings, and chemical supply industries
Emergency Contact: Chemtrec 24-hour emergency line, regional poison control centers, or company safety officer
Primary Risks: Causes serious eye irritation, mild skin irritation, respiratory discomfort, risk of poisoning through inhalation or skin absorption
GHS Classification: Eye Irritation Category 2A, Skin Irritation Category 3
GHS Label: Exclamation mark symbol; warnings include “Causes serious eye irritation”
Target Organs: Eyes, lungs, skin, central nervous system
Typical Symptoms: Eye redness, tearing, blurred vision, drowsiness, headache, nausea, dry or cracked skin, sore throat, difficulty breathing
Long-Term Exposure Risks: Liver and kidney effects, potential nervous system impact with chronic exposure
Chemical Name: 2-Butoxy-1-Propanol
Concentration: >95% by weight in pure commercial grade
Impurities: Trace moisture, residual propylene glycol, possible low-level ethers
Other Ingredients: Product sometimes blended, but safety data covers only the single chemical identity
Mixture Status: Usually supplied as a neat liquid in bulk containers, totes, or drums
Eyes: Flush eyes with clean water, lift eyelids as needed, keep irrigating for at least 15 minutes, seek immediate medical attention
Skin: Remove contaminated clothing, wash skin thoroughly with soap and running water, do not reuse clothing until washed, see a doctor if irritation develops
Inhalation: Move affected person outside, loosen tight clothing, rest in a comfortable position, support breathing, call medical help if symptoms persist
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, do not induce vomiting, drink water if conscious, seek immediate medical care, never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person
Notes to Physician: Treat symptomatically, monitor for respiratory distress, maintain airway and oxygenation as needed
Flammability: Liquid has low to moderate flammability, forms combustible mixtures at higher concentrations
Suitable Extinguishers: Use carbon dioxide, dry chemical, foam, or water spray; avoid strong water jets
Hazardous Gases: Burning produces carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, possibly small amounts of aldehydes
Protective Equipment: Firefighters should wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective gear
Explosion Risk: Vapors in confined spaces or near ignition points may flash or explode
Special Notes: Cool closed containers exposed to flame with water spray to prevent pressure buildup
Personal Protection: Don chemical-resistant gloves, splash goggles, and chemical apron, ventilate the area
Containment: Isolate spill, prevent entry into drains and waterways, use inert absorbent (sand, earth)
Cleanup Procedure: Scoop absorbed material into drums, clean spill zone with soap and water, dispose in line with hazardous waste regulations
Environmental Precautions: Notify local authorities if large quantities threaten soil or water
Decontamination: Wash down remaining residues with plenty of water, use absorbents as needed for final wipe-up
Handling Practices: Use in well-ventilated areas, avoid all contact with eyes and skin, keep away from hot surfaces, static discharge and open flames
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly closed, labeled steel or HDPE containers, keep cool and dry, segregate from oxidizers and strong acids
Special Storage Precautions: Use grounding and bonding for drum transfers, keep drums upright and secure, avoid temperature extremes, label all vessels clearly
Workplace Hygiene: Wash hands and face thoroughly after handling, avoid eating, drinking or smoking around chemical
Permissible Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL not established, ACGIH TLV 10 ppm recommended as guideline, lower limits if measured by total vapor
Ventilation: Local exhaust or general dilution as needed to keep airborne levels below recommended limits
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical splash goggles, nitrile or neoprene gloves, long-sleeved clothing, apron or lab coat if splashing expected
Respiratory Protection: Respirator with organic vapor cartridge for high vapor concentrations or in poorly ventilated spaces
Monitoring: Use portable VOC meters or area sampling pumps to control vapor exposures
Appearance: Clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid, mild ether-like odor
Molecular Weight: 132.2 g/mol
Boiling Point: 169°C (336°F)
Melting Point: -64°C (-83°F)
Flash Point: 66°C (151°F) (closed cup)
Vapor Pressure: 0.3 mmHg at 20°C
Solubility: Miscible with water, alcohols, and many organic solvents
Density: 0.89 g/cm³ at 20°C
Viscosity: 4.1 mPa·s at 25°C
Partition Coefficient (log Pow): 0.56
Autoignition Temperature: 212°C (414°F)
Evaporation Rate: Slower than n-Butanol
Stability: Stable under standard conditions of storage and use; remains chemically unchanged if kept away from strong acids, bases, strong oxidizers
Reactivity: Minimal under normal handling, decomposes only under strong heat or in presence of incompatible chemicals
Decomposition Products: Forms carbon oxides and low levels of aldehyde vapors if overheated or burned
Incompatible Materials: Powerful oxidizers (peroxides, nitric acid), strong acids and bases, reactive metals such as sodium
Polymerization: Does not occur
Special Notes: Store away from sources of ignition and incompatible chemicals to maintain product integrity and safety
Likely Exposure Routes: Inhalation, dermal absorption, accidental swallowing
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat) 3300 mg/kg; Dermal LD50 (rabbit) >2000 mg/kg; Inhalation irritation in rodents at high concentrations
Short-Term Effects: Eye and skin irritation, reversible symptoms for healthy adults, dizziness, headache after inhalation or skin absorption
Chronic Effects: Liver and kidney changes in laboratory animals from repeated high exposures, minor central nervous system symptoms reported by regular users
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as carcinogen by IARC, NTP, or OSHA
Other Health Effects: No clear evidence for reproductive or developmental toxicity within exposure guidelines
Environmental Mobility: Spreads readily in soil and water; moderate volatility
Persistence: Moderate rate of biodegradation in soils and aquatic environments; not expected to accumulate
Aquatic Toxicity: LC50 (fish, 96h): >560 mg/L; EC50 (daphnia): >1000 mg/L
Bioaccumulation Potential: Low, based on log Kow and rapid environmental breakdown
Hazardous Decomposition: Products formed in the environment include non-persistent organic acids and similar compounds
Other Concerns: Spills in large quantities could stress aquatic plants and animal life until breakdown
Waste Methods: Handle as hazardous organic waste in line with local, regional, and national rules
Incineration: Preferred for bulk liquid waste; use certified waste incinerator with scrubber
Container Disposal: Rinse empty containers thoroughly, remove labels, recycle metal drums if possible or treat as hazardous waste
Sewage Disposal: Prevent all entry to sewers and surface waters; never dump undiluted chemical
Local Regulations: Follow state or municipal guidelines for handling solvents, avoid open burning or uncontrolled discharge
UN Number: 3082
Proper Shipping Name: Environmentally Hazardous Substance, Liquid, N.O.S. (contains 2-Butoxy-1-propanol)
Transport Class: 9 (Miscellaneous)
Packing Group: III
Labeling: Class 9 environmental hazard label plus “Marine Pollutant” if shipping by sea
Additional Hazards: Avoid container exceeding limits for single package shipments, protect against impact or rupture during transport
OSHA: Covered under the Hazard Communication Standard; facilities must provide information to exposed workers
EPA: Listed as a hazardous substance under CERCLA for release reporting; not on Priority Pollutant list
SARA 313: Not subject to routine toxics release reporting
TSCA: 2-Butoxy-1-propanol appears on the US TSCA inventory
EU Regulations: REACH registered, covered under EC No. 225-878-4; Safety Data Sheet obligation for users and manufacturers
Other Information: Local workplace controls, personal protective gear, and emergency procedures must match health and safety standards set by region or country
