Butyl acetate

Definition

ChEBI: Butyl acetate is the acetate ester of butanol. It has a role as a metabolite. It is functionally related to a butan-1-ol.

Description

n-Butyl acetate is a colorless, flammable liquid, found in many types of fruit, where it imparts characteristic flavors and has a sweet smell of banana or apple. It is used as an industrial solvent.

Synthesis

Butyl acetate is found in many types of fruits and can also be obtained through the esterification reaction of acetic acid with butanol:

First aid

If  Butyl acetate gets into the eyes, remove anycontact lenses at once and irrigate immediately for at least 15 min, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical contacts theskin, remove contaminated clothing and wash immediatelywith soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical has been inhaled, remove from exposure,begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions, including resuscitation mask) if breathing has stopped and CPR ifheart action has stopped. Transfer promptly to a medicalfacility. When this chemical has been swallowed, get medical  attention. Give large quantities of saltwater and inducevomiting. Do not make an unconscious person vomit.

The Uses of Butyl acetate

Butyl Acetate is a medium boiling ester solvent. A colorless liquid with a fruity odor, butyl acetate is an active solvent for film-formers such as cellulose acetate butyrate, nitrocellulose, polyesters, epoxies, alkyds, vinyl copolymers, and acrylic resins. It is widely used in nitrocellulose lacquers, readily dissolving the resin and imparting good flow properties.
Butyl Acetate has an evaporation rate of 1.0, which provides a quick drying lacquer without inducing blushing under normal circumstances. It is a urethane grade solvent and is widely used in 2-K polyurethane coatings to help balance flow and dry time.

Metabolism

Metabolism data available on butyl acetate have been reviewed by several organizations, including CIR (2008), ECHA (2011a), OECD (2001), NICNAS (2014), and WHO (2005), among others. Studies conducted among rats show that butyl acetate is readily absorbed by the respiratory tract, skin, and gastrointestinal tract. Butyl acetate is rapidly distributed to all the major tissues in the body, including the brain (WHO, 2005). Distribution of butyl acetate to tissues is preferred over blood, based on tissue/blood partition coefficients, with a greater partition coefficient for fat followed by liver, kidney, brain, and muscle. Butyl acetate is metabolized extensively by rapid hydrolysis to n-butanol and acetic acid, which is catalyzed by esterases present in several tissues and blood; n-butanol was found at higher concentrations in both blood (Cmax = 52 μg equivalents/g at Tmax 2.6 min) and brain (Cmax = 79 μg equivalents/g at Tmax 2.5 min), which was also eliminated from both tissues (biphasic elimination; t1/2, of 1–1.2 min) and was undetectable beyond 20 min post-dosing. 

Precautions

On exposure to Butyl acetate, immediately wash with plenty of water, also under the eyelids, for at least 15 min. Remove contact lenses. Butyl acetate is flammable in the pres ence of open flames, sparks, oxidizing materials, acids, and alkalis. It poses explosion risk in the presence of mechanical impact. For health safety, management authorities should provide exhaust ventilation facilities at the workplace to keep the airborne concentrations of vapors of Butyl acetate below TLV.