Butyl Alcohol

The largest use of 1-butanol is as an industrial intermediate, particularly for the manufacture of butyl acetate (itself an artificial flavorant and industrial solvent). It is a petrochemical derived from propylene.

Constituting 85% of its use, 1-butanol is mainly used in the production of varnishes. It is a popular solvent, e.g. for nitrocellulose. N-butanol is used as a solvent for paints, coatings, varnishes, fats, oils, waxes, rubber, and plasticizers. A variety of butanol derivatives are used as solvents, e.g. butoxyethanol or butyl acetate. Many plasticizers are based on butyl esters, e.g., dibutyl phthalate. The monomer butyl acrylate is used to produce polymers. It is the precursor to n-butylamines , its also used in detergents.

Other uses include coating fabric in the textiles industry, as a cleaning or polishing agent, gasoline, brake fluid and in consumer products such as make-up, nail products, hygiene products and shaving products in the cosmetic industry. The chemical is present in several foods and beverages as an artificial flavouring. It is also used in food preparation such as during the manufacture of hop extract for beermaking.