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Chemical Name: 2-Butanol
Synonyms: sec-Butanol, sec-Butyl alcohol, methyl ethyl carbinol
CAS Number: 78-92-2
Molecular Formula: C4H10O
Common Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid, with a distinctive, alcohol-like odor
Main Dangers: Flammable liquid and vapor, causes serious eye irritation, may cause drowsiness or dizziness
Signal Word: Danger
GHS Classification: Flammable liquids (Category 3), Eye irritation (Category 2A), Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure (Category 3)
Precautionary Statements: Keep away from heat, sparks, open flames. Use explosion-proof equipment. Avoid breathing vapors. Wash thoroughly after handling. Wear eye/face protection.
Health Risks: Inhalation can bring on headaches, nausea, and central nervous system effects. Prolonged exposure risks depend on concentration and ventilation. Direct skin contact may cause mild irritation. Splashes to the eyes can be quite painful and damaging.
Component: 2-Butanol
Concentration: Typically 98% or greater by weight in commercial products
Impurities: May contain trace levels of other butanol isomers and water
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air, support breathing, seek medical advice if effects persist. In crowded or enclosed spaces, exposure can rapidly overwhelm, so ventilation and escape routes matter.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, wash skin with soap and water. Monitor for signs of irritation.
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, try not to rub eyes. Get medical guidance if discomfort stays.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth but do not induce vomiting. Drink water if conscious and alert. Medical assessment is recommended in all cases due to the risk of CNS effects.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide
Hazards During Fire: Vapor can travel, ignite at a distance from the source. Combustion can spit out carbon monoxide and other toxic gases.
Special Protective Gear: Firefighters need self-contained breathing apparatus with full protective gear. Explosive mixtures form easily with air, especially in warm weather or near hot machinery.
Personal Precautions: Eliminate ignition sources, ventilate area well. Wear appropriate chemical-resistant gloves, goggles, and lab coat.
Spill Cleanup: Contain spill with non-combustible materials like sand or earth. Gather liquid using spark-proof tools. Dispose of clean-up materials properly. Avoid direct runoff into drains.
Environmental Precautions: Stop entry into waterways, soil, and sewers. Teams working with this must keep spill emergency protocols current.
Handling Practices: Work in well-ventilated spaces, keep away from sources of heat, sparks, and flames. Wear chemical resistant gloves and safety goggles. Don’t eat or drink near handling areas. Label storage containers clearly.
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly closed containers, away from oxidizers or acids. Cool, dry, well-ventilated areas help prevent pressure build-up or ignition. Ground all storage and transfer equipment to prevent static electricity.
Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL: 150 ppm (TWA), ACGIH TLV: 100 ppm (TWA)
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical splash goggles, nitrile gloves, lab coats or aprons, face shields in high concentration settings
Ventilation: Local exhaust preferred for large-scale use; simple dilution systems may not reduce vapor risks adequately
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands thoroughly after shifts, change clothes that picked up contamination
State: Liquid
Odor: Alcoholic, somewhat sweet
Boiling Point: Around 100°C
Melting Point: -115°C
Flash Point: About 24°C (closed cup)
Vapor Pressure: 17 mmHg at 20°C
Solubility: Mixes well with water and most organic solvents
Density: 0.806 g/cm³ at 20°C
Viscosity: Low
Chemical Stability: Remains stable under standard storage, can decompose if heated strongly or exposed to open flames
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizers, acids, acid chlorides, alkali metals
Hazardous Decomposition: Produces carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide with incomplete combustion, risk of irritating fumes
Polymerization: Not known to occur under normal conditions
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, ingestion
Acute Effects: Central nervous system depression—headache, dizziness, drowsiness
Chronic Effects: Repeated exposure may impair liver or kidney function in rare cases
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as a known human carcinogen by major agencies
Lethal Dose (LD50): Oral LD50 (rat): roughly 2,200 mg/kg
Aquatic Impact: Toxic to aquatic life at higher concentrations
Persistence and Degradability: Biodegradable under normal environmental conditions
Bioaccumulation: Potential is low, breaks down mainly by microbes
Mobility: Moves easily through soil and water, especially in spill scenarios
Waste Handling: Gather liquid into sealed containers for disposal by approved chemical waste processors
Disposal Methods: Incineration under controlled conditions preferred—check local, regional, and national regulations
Environmental Impact: Never flush large quantities into drains, lakes, or soil due to groundwater concerns
UN Number: 1120
Hazard Class: 3 (Flammable Liquids)
Packing Group: II
Labeling Required: Flammable liquid warning symbols on all parcels
Transportation Precautions: Avoid heat, keep containers upright and tightly sealed. Secure shipments to prevent leaks or damage in transit.
Occupational Exposure Limit Values: Defined by OSHA and ACGIH as above
Hazardous Substance Category: Listed on US TSCA Inventory, reaches similar status in Europe under REACH
Labeling Laws: Follows Globally Harmonized System signal words and hazard pictograms
Restrictions: Certain regions limit emissions or disposal based on environmental risk and flammability
