1541. sec-Butyl Alcohol

Nomenclature

CAS number: 78-92-2
2-Butanol; butylene hydrate; 2-hydroxybutane; methyl ethyl carbinol.
C4H10O; mol wt 74.12.
C 64.82%, H 13.60%, O 21.59%.

Description and references

Prepn by reduction of 2-butanone: S. W. Chaikin, W. G. Brown, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 71, 122 (1949); R. F. Nystrom et al., ibid. 3245. Manuf by hydration of 2-butene or hydrocarbons contg butene: C. B. Dale et al., Ind. Eng. Chem. 48, 913 (1956); F. M. Archibald, H. O. Mottern, US 2543820 (1951 to Standard Oil); D. A. Limerick, O. L. Wylie, Jr., US 2776324 (1957 to Shell). Purification and vapor pressure: Biddiscombe et al., J. Chem. Soc. 1963, 1954. Prepn of l-form from d(-)-2,3-butanediol: P. J. Leroux, H. J. Lucas, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 73, 41 (1951). Prepn of l- or d-form by hydroboration of cis-2-butene: H. C. Brown et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 86, 397 (1964). Resolution of dl-form: S. W. Kantor, C. R. Hauser, ibid. 75, 1744 (1953). Absolute configuration of l-form: H. C. Brown et al., ibid. 86, 1071 (1964). Toxicity: H. F. Smyth et al., Arch. Ind. Hyg. Occup. Med. 10, 61 (1954).

Chemical structure

Derivative

dl-Form.

Properties

Liquid, bp 99.5°. mp -114.7°. d420 0.808. nD25 1.3949. Flash pt, open cup: 88°F (31°C). Sol in 12 parts water; misc with alcohol, ether. LD50 orally in rats: 6.48 g/kg (Smyth).

Derivative

d-Form.

Nomenclature

CAS number: 4221-99-2
(2S)-2-Butanol.

Properties

Liquid, bp 98-99.5°. d427 0.8025. nD20 1.3954. [α]D22 +13.1. [α]D27 +13.52°.

Derivative

l-Form.

Nomenclature

CAS number: 14898-79-4
(2R)-2-Butanol.

Properties

Liquid, bp744 98°. d425 0.8042. nD20 1.3970, nD25 1.3949. [α]D25 -13.51°.

Caution

Potential symptoms of overexposure are eye, skin, nose, throat irritation; narcosis. See NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (DHHS/NIOSH 97-140, 1997) p 40.

Use

In the synthesis of flotation agents, flavors, perfumes, dyestuffs, wetting agents. In industrial cleaners, paint removers. Solvent for many natural resins, linseed and castor oils.