Chemical Properties |
CLEAR COLOURLESS LIQUID |
Chemical Properties |
Butyl propionate is a flammable, colorless to straw-yellow liquid with an apple-like odor. |
Chemical Properties |
Butyl propionate has a characteristic earthy, faintly sweet odor and apricot-like taste. |
Occurrence |
Reported found in fresh apple, apple juice, melon, strawberry, Gruyere de Comte cheese and plum. |
Uses |
Solvent for nitrocellulose, retarder in lacquer thinner, ingredient of perfumes, flavors. |
Preparation |
By esterification of propionic acid with n-butyl alcohol in the presence of concentrated H2SO4 or p-toluene sulfonic acid. |
Aroma threshold values |
Detection: 25 to 440 ppb |
General Description |
A water-white liquid with an apple-like odor. Less dense than water. Flash point 90°F. May irritate skin and eyes. Used to make perfumes and flavorings. |
Air & Water Reactions |
Highly flammable. Very slightly soluble in water. |
Reactivity Profile |
BUTYL PROPIONATE is an ester. Esters react with acids to liberate heat along with alcohols and acids. Strong oxidizing acids may cause a vigorous reaction that is sufficiently exothermic to ignite the reaction products. Heat is also generated by the interaction of esters with caustic solutions. Flammable hydrogen is generated by mixing esters with alkali metals and hydrides. |
Hazard |
Skin and eye irritant. Flammable, moderate fire risk. |
Health Hazard |
Contact will cause eye and skin irritation. Vapor exposure may cause eye and respiratory tract irritation. |
Fire Hazard |
Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Irritating and toxic gases, such as carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, may be produced in fire. |
Safety Profile |
Mildly toxic by ingestion. A skin irritant. Dangerously flammable when exposed to heat or flame. To fight fire, use foam, CO2, dry chemical. Incompatible with oxidizing materials. See also ESTERS, n-BUTYL ALCOHOL, and PROPIONIC ACID. |
Potential Exposure |
It is used as a solvent or lacquer thinner; and in perfumes and flavoring |
Shipping |
UN1914 Butyl propionates, Hazard Class: 3; Labels: 3—Flammable liquid |
Incompatibilities |
Vapor may form explosive mixture with air. Incompatible with oxidizers (chlorates, nitrates, peroxides, permanganates, perchlorates, chlorine, bromine, fluorine, etc.); contact may cause fires or explosions. Keep away from alkaline materials, strong bases, strong acids, oxoacids, epoxides. May accumulate static electrical charges and cause ignition of its vapors. |
Waste Disposal |
Dissolve or mix the material with a combustible solvent and burn in a chemical incinerator equipped with an afterburner and scrubber. All federal, state, and local environmental regulations must be observed. |