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1-Butanol

Athanor · official

C4H10O · 74.12 g/mol

IUPAC name: butan-1-ol

Also called n-butanol, butyl alcohol

Open in Athanor
The structure of 1-Butanol
Drawn from its SMILES with RDKit320
FlammableCorrosiveHarmful or irritantDangerFlammable liquid and vapor · Harmful if swallowed · Causes skin irritation · Causes serious eye damage · May cause respiratory irritation · May cause drowsiness or dizziness

Names and identifiers

IUPAC name
butan-1-ol
Synonyms
n-butanol, butyl alcohol, Butan-1-ol
+ 36 more

Butyl alcohol, n-butyl alcohol, Propylcarbinol, 1-hydroxybutane, Butyl hydroxide, Methylolpropane, Propylmethanol, Butyric alcohol, Hemostyp, n-Butan-1-ol, 1-Butyl alcohol, Butanolen, Butanolo, Propyl carbinol, Alcool butylique, Butylowy alkohol, Normal primary butyl alcohol, FEMA No. 2178, RCRA waste number U031, CCS 203, Alcohol, Butyl, FEMA Number 2178, 1 Butanol, DTXSID1021740, Butyric or normal primary butyl alcohol, NSC-62782, 8PJ61P6TS3, DTXCID701740, CHEBI:28885, n-Propyl carbinol, n Butanol, n Butyl Alcohol, Alcohol, n-Butyl, RefChem:6600, 200-751-6, butanol

Molecular formula
C4H10O
Empirical formula
C4H10O
Molecular weight
74.12 g/mol
Exact mass
74.07316
CAS number
71-36-3
PubChem CID
263
Canonical SMILES
CCCCO
Isomeric SMILES
CCCCO
InChI
InChI=1S/C4H10O/c1-2-3-4-5/h5H,2-4H2,1H3
InChIKey
LRHPLDYGYMQRHN-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Molfile

Names, InChI and the identifiers from PubChem, retrieved 2026-10-14.

Physical properties

TemperaturePressureDensity
Appearance
Colorless liquid[6]
6 values

From Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB), the most authoritative source here.

ValueAs writtenSource
–N-butyl alcohol is a colorless liquid. Used in organic chemical synthesis, plasticizers, detergents, etc.[1] CAMEO Chemicals
–Liquid; CBI[2] EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
–COLOURLESS LIQUID WITH CHARACTERISTIC ODOUR.[3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
–Colorless liquid with a strong, characteristic, mildly alcoholic odor.[4] Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
–Colorless liquid with a strong, characteristic, mildly alcoholic odor.[5] The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
–shownColorless liquid[6] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Lewis, R.J. Sr.; Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary 15th Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York, NY 2007., p. 194
Odor
Rancid, sweet[6]
3 values

From Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB), the most authoritative source here.

ValueAs writtenSource
–Odor similar to amyl alcohol[6] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Burdock, G.A. (ed.). Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients. 5th ed.Boca Raton, FL 2005, p. 190
–shownRancid, sweet[6] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Verschueren, K. Handbook of Environmental Data on Organic Chemicals. Volumes 1-2. 4th ed. John Wiley & Sons. New York, NY. 2001, p. 359
–Strong characteristic, mildly alcoholic odor[6] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-140. Washington, D.C. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1997., p. 38
Melting point
-88.6 °C[7]
5 values

5 of 5 sources agree on it (most common value).

ValueAs writtenSource
−89 °C-129 °F (USCG, 1999)[1] CAMEO Chemicalscites U.S. Coast Guard. 1999. Chemical Hazard Response Information System (CHRIS) - Hazardous Chemical Data. Commandant Instruction 16465.12C. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office.
−90 °C-90 °C[3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
−89 °C-129 °F[4] Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
−88.6 °Cshown-88.6 °C[7] PAC Chemical Database, U.S. Department of Energy
−89 °C-129 °F[5] The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Boiling point
117.73 °C @760 [mmHg][7]
5 values

5 of 5 sources agree on it (most common value).

ValueAs writtenSource
117.7 °C243.9 °F at 760 mmHg (USCG, 1999)[1] CAMEO Chemicalscites U.S. Coast Guard. 1999. Chemical Hazard Response Information System (CHRIS) - Hazardous Chemical Data. Commandant Instruction 16465.12C. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office.
117 °C117 °C[3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
117 °C243 °F[4] Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
117.7 °Cshown117.73 °C @760 [mm Hg][7] PAC Chemical Database, U.S. Department of Energy
117 °C243 °F[5] The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Density
0.8095 @ 20°C[7]
5 values

5 of 5 sources agree on it (most common value).

ValueAs writtenSource
–0.81 at 68 °F (USCG, 1999) - Less dense than water[1] CAMEO Chemicalscites U.S. Coast Guard. 1999. Chemical Hazard Response Information System (CHRIS) - Hazardous Chemical Data. Commandant Instruction 16465.12C. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office.
–Relative density (water = 1): 0.81[3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
–0.81[4] Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
–shown0.8095 @ 20°C[7] PAC Chemical Database, U.S. Department of Energy
–0.81[5] The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

6 more values were reported but failed the checks (unreadable or out of range), so they are not shown.

Solubility in water
Solubility in water, g/100ml at 20 °C: 7.7 (soluble)[3]
6 values

From ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs), the most authoritative source here.

ValueAs writtenSource
–9 % (NIOSH, 2024)[1] CAMEO Chemicals
–For more Solubility (Complete) data for N-BUTYL ALCOHOL (17 total), please visit the HSDB record page.[6] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
–In water, 68 g/L at 25 °C[6] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Yalkowsky, S.H., He, Yan, Jain, P. Handbook of Aqueous Solubility Data Second Edition. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL 2010, p. 128
–In water, 6.32X10+4 mg/L at 25 °C[6] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Tewari YG et al; J Res NBS 87: 155-8 (1982)
–shownSolubility in water, g/100ml at 20 °C: 7.7 (soluble)[3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
–9%[5] The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
log P
0.9[3]
2 values

2 of 2 sources agree on it (most common value).

ValueAs writtenSource
–log Kow = 0.88[6] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Hansch, C., Leo, A., D. Hoekman. Exploring QSAR - Hydrophobic, Electronic, and Steric Constants. Washington, DC: American Chemical Society., 1995., p. 10
–shown0.9[3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
pKa
pKa = 16.10[6]
Vapor pressure
Vapor pressure, kPa at 20 °C: 0.67[3]
3 values

Sources disagree; from ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs), the most authoritative.

ValueAs writtenSource
7 mmHg7.0 mm Hg at 25 °C[6] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Daubert, T.E., R.P. Danner. Physical and Thermodynamic Properties of Pure Chemicals Data Compilation. Washington, D.C.: Taylor and Francis, 1989.
5 mmHgshownVapor pressure, kPa at 20 °C: 0.67[3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
7.5 mmHg7.5 [mm Hg] @28 °C[7] PAC Chemical Database, U.S. Department of Energy

3 more values were reported but failed the checks (unreadable or out of range), so they are not shown.

Flash point
29 °C c.c.[3]
5 values

4 of 5 sources agree on it (most common value).

ValueAs writtenSource
29 °C84 °F (USCG, 1999)[1] CAMEO Chemicalscites U.S. Coast Guard. 1999. Chemical Hazard Response Information System (CHRIS) - Hazardous Chemical Data. Commandant Instruction 16465.12C. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office.
37 °C98 °F, 37 °C (closed cup)[6] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites National Fire Protection Association; Fire Protection Guide to Hazardous Materials. 14TH Edition, Quincy, MA 2010, p. 325-23
29 °Cshown29 °C c.c.[3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
29 °C84 °F[4] Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
29 °C84 °F[5] The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Autoignition temperature
343 °C (650 °F)[6]
3 values

2 of 3 sources agree on it (most common value).

ValueAs writtenSource
343 °C650 °F (USCG, 1999)[1] CAMEO Chemicalscites U.S. Coast Guard. 1999. Chemical Hazard Response Information System (CHRIS) - Hazardous Chemical Data. Commandant Instruction 16465.12C. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office.
343 °Cshown650 °F (343 °C)[6] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites National Fire Protection Association; Fire Protection Guide to Hazardous Materials. 14TH Edition, Quincy, MA 2010, p. 325-23
345 °C345 °C[3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Viscosity
Reported, but no value passed the checks.
The value and why
  • 2.11 mm²/s at 40 °C (could not be read; source [3])

Each value as its source reports it, with the source's number after it (listed under References). Where several sources report a property, the row shows the value most of them agree on, the rule the app uses; open the values to see every one.

Calculated

Heavy atoms
5
Rings
0
Aromatic rings
0
Fraction sp³ carbons (Fsp3)
1
H-bond donors
1
H-bond acceptors
1
Rotatable bonds
2
TPSA (Ų)
20.2
Formal charge
0
XLogP3
0.9 PubChem
Complexity
13 PubChem
Stereocenters
None
Double-bond geometry
None specified
Point group
C1 of one 3D conformer with its hydrogens, by Athanor’s engine (as in the app)

Elemental analysis

  • C64.82%
  • H13.60%
  • O21.58%

Isotope pattern

100%74.0734.5%75.07776.078

Each peak is a nominal mass with its abundance-weighted exact mass, as a percentage of the tallest, from IUPAC natural isotope abundances.

Computed from the structure with RDKit 2026.09 when this page was built, beside PubChem's own computed values from its record; where the two differ, both are shown.

Predicted

log P
0.78 Crippen (Wildman and Crippen 1999)
log S (water solubility)
-0.66 ESOL (Delaney 2004), log mol/L
Synthetic accessibility
1.88 SA score, 1 easy to 10 hard (Ertl and Schuffenhauer 2009)

Drug-likeness: Lipinski’s rule of five

  • Molecular weight ≤ 500: 74.12
  • log P ≤ 5 (Crippen): 0.78
  • H-bond donors ≤ 5: 1
  • H-bond acceptors ≤ 10: 1

Passes all four rules.

¹³C NMR shifts, predicted

Predictions, not measurements; each names its method. A measured log P, where a source reports one, is under Physical properties.

Safety

Danger

Harmonized EU classification (CLP Annex VI). Source [8].

  • Flammable
  • Corrosive
  • Harmful or irritant
320
NFPA 704[6]
  • H226Flammable liquid and vapor
  • H302Harmful if swallowed
  • H315Causes skin irritation
  • H318Causes serious eye damage
  • H335May cause respiratory irritation
  • H336May cause drowsiness or dizziness

Precautionary statements: P210, P233, P240, P241, P242, P243, P261, P264, P264+P265, P270, P271, P280, P301+P317, P302+P352, P303+P361+P353, P304+P340, P305+P354+P338, P317, P319, P321, P330, P332+P317, P362+P364, P370+P378, P403+P233, P403+P235, P405, P501

View all classifications (4)
  • [8] Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council · DangerH226, H302, H315, H318, H335, H336
  • [9] European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)This chemical does not meet GHS hazard criteria for 0.2% (13 of 6636) of reports.
  • [9] European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) · 6,636 reports · DangerH226, H302, H315, H318, H335, H336
  • [6] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB) · WarningH226, H302, H315, H319, H335, H336

Exposure limits

  • PEL-TWA (8-Hour Time Weighted Average): 100 ppm (300 mg/m³)[4]
  • PEL: TWA 100 ppm (300 mg/m3) See Appendix G[5]
  • REL-C (Ceiling): 50 ppm (150 mg/m³)[4]
  • REL: C 50 ppm (150 mg/m3) [skin][5]
  • TLV: 20 ppm as TWA.[3]
  • IDLH: 1400 ppm ; Based on 10% of the lower explosive limit. (NIOSH, 2024)[1]

First aid

  • Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for n-Butyl alcohol: Eye: Irrigate immediately - If this chemical contacts the eyes, immediately wash (irrigate) the eyes with large amounts of water, occasionally lifting the lower and upper lids. Get medical attention immediately. Skin: Water flush promptly - If this chemical contacts the skin, flush the contaminated skin with water promptly. If this chemical penetrates the clothing, immediately remove the clothing and flush the skin with water promptly.[1]
  • General First Aid: · Call 911 or emergency medical service. · Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved, take precautions to protect themselves and avoid contamination. · Move victim to fresh air if it can be done safely. · Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult. · If victim is not breathing: -- DO NOT perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation; the victim may have ingested or inhaled the substance. -- If equipped and pulse detected, wash face and mouth, then give artificial respiration using a proper respiratory medical device (bag-valve mask, pocket mask equipped…[10]
  • (General first aid procedures) Eye: Irrigate immediately - If this chemical contacts the eyes, immediately wash (irrigate) the eyes with large amounts of water, occasionally lifting the lower and upper lids. Get medical attention immediately. Skin: Water flush promptly - If this chemical contacts the skin, flush the contaminated skin with water promptly. If this chemical penetrates the clothing, immediately remove the clothing and flush the skin with water promptly.[5]
  • Fresh air, rest. Refer for medical attention.[3]

Storage

  • Fireproof. Separated from strong oxidants and aluminium. Store only in original container. See Chemical Dangers.[3]

Incompatibilities

  • Butanol, used as a solvent in an autoclave preparation at 100 °C, severely attacked the aluminum gasket, liberating hydrogen which caused a sharp rise in pressure. Other alcohols would behave similarly ... .[6]
  • Contact with strong oxidizers may cause fire and explosion.[6]
  • Strong oxidizers, strong mineral acids, alkali metals, halogens.[6]
  • Strong oxidizers, strong mineral acids, alkali metals, halogens[5]

Safety data sheets on the supplier’s page: LGC Standards, Alfa Chemistry, Thermo Fisher Scientific.

Always read the supplier’s safety data sheet before working with it.

Spectra

Experimental spectra held by these sources; each link opens the source's own record.

Literature

Reading PubChem, OpenAlex and GSRS…

Bioactivity

Reading ChEMBL…

References

  1. [1]CAMEO Chemicals · Public domain (NOAA) · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  2. [2]EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) · Public domain (US EPA) · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  3. [3]ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs) · CC BY 4.0 · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  4. [4]Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) · Public domain (US DOL) · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  5. [5]The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) · Public domain (US CDC) · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  6. [6]Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB) · Public domain (US NLM) · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  7. [7]PAC Chemical Database, U.S. Department of Energy · Public domain (US DOE) · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  8. [8]Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council · EU reuse policy, CC BY 4.0 · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  9. [9]European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) · ECHA legal notice: reuse with acknowledgement · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  10. [10]Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) · Public domain (US DOT) · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  11. [11]NMRShiftDB · Linked only · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  12. [12]Human Metabolome Database (HMDB) · Linked only · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  13. [13]SpectraBase · Linked only · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  14. [14]MassBank of North America (MoNA) · CC BY 4.0 · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  15. [15]NIST Mass Spectrometry Data Center · Linked only · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  16. [16]MassBank Europe · Linked only · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  17. ·Calculated values: computed by Athanor with RDKit 2026.09 from the structure.
  18. ·Literature on PubChem

Data last updated 2026-10-14.