N-Butylcatechol doesn’t grab headlines like some specialty chemicals, but its evolution shows what’s possible when industry and science keep pushing. Originally, catechols like this came from plants — way back, bark and roots were crushed for different extracts, even if people didn’t know the molecules by name. Once scientists figured out phenolic compounds in the late 1800s, a lot of attention swung to making better building blocks for antioxidants and stabilizers. N-Butylcatechol fell into that camp, as research during the last century moved from natural extraction to lab synthesis. The drive was simple: folks needed additives in rubber and resins that handled heat and oxygen without turning yellow or breaking down. Step by step, industrial chemists learned new methods to tweak natural catechols, settling on the n-butyl substitution because it worked better under tough conditions.
Spotting a bottle of N-Butylcatechol in a chemical storeroom might just look like another clear, almost colorless liquid. Below the surface, it's a phenolic compound, but what sets it apart is that n-butyl group hanging off the catechol ring. That addition extends shelf life in products ranging from adhesives to antioxidants, which makes it more valuable for manufacturers than its simpler catechol relatives. Production volumes have grown mostly where markets run on high-demand sectors—think tire factories, specialty polymers, oil refineries, and pharmaceutical labs—which rely on N-Butylcatechol’s mix of stability and reactivity.
There’s a reason N-Butylcatechol gets special mention in formulating advanced materials. It comes as a liquid at room temperature with a melting point well below freezing, which means storage rarely turns tricky even through winter shipping. It dissolves well in alcohol, ethers, and most organic solvents, but water takes some coaxing—solubility drops because of the extra carbons. As a substituted catechol, it holds strong reactivity at both hydroxyl groups. Under regular process conditions, it doesn’t boil away too easily, because it boils above 200°C, and it won’t burst into flames at the first spark, yet it can still catch if handled carelessly. Its phenolic smell lingers, faint but distinct.
Chem suppliers don’t cut corners on documentation here: purity usually runs above 98% and careful GC or HPLC analysis supports every batch. Moisture content stays low, as water gets in the way during critical reactions. Labels spell out safety warnings in several languages, along with batch numbers, lot codes, and hazard pictograms required by GHS. Product names may vary—some might list “4-Butylpyrocatechol” or give an obsolete registry code, but regulatory authorities demand clear hazard symbol placement, advice for storage, and even details for waste handling. A hazard statement always appears, since skin contact and inhalation carry real risks—this isn’t a product you ignore basic safety around.
Synthetically, N-Butylcatechol can start from catechol and butyl halide or butyl alcohol using a Friedel-Crafts alkylation, leveraging strong Lewis acids as catalysts. Some operations swap that for a Mitsunobu reaction, depending on reagents or environmental concerns. Production needs clean glassware and inert gas atmospheres to keep the phenolic groups from oxidizing into tarlike byproducts. Industrial plants run this on a scale from lab beakers to multi-ton reactors, often with continuous separation methods to strip out side products and unreacted feedstock. The n-butyl group brings stability—so long as manufacturers stick to protocols, yields stay strong and waste stays manageable.
N-Butylcatechol acts as both a reactant and an additive. Once in the lab, its dual hydroxyls make it a ready candidate for etherification, esterification, and even oxidative coupling if someone’s assembling more complex polyphenolics. It can stabilize free radicals, which is invaluable in the manufacture of rubber, where long polymer chains break easily without the right inhibitors. In coatings, those same hydroxyls allow crosslinking with resins. With new chemical methods, it serves as a backbone for synthesizing functionalized materials, giving researchers tools to build electrodes, biocides, or stabilizers with targeted properties.
People rarely stick to one name in chemistry, and N-Butylcatechol is a perfect example. On some import lists, it goes by “4-Butylpyrocatechol”; catalogue entries might call it “1,2-dihydroxy-4-butylbenzene”; trade brands sometimes shorten that to “NBC.” Registries include numbers from CAS and the European inventory, which clarifies things when shipments move between countries. It pops up in patents under older or local names. Pharmacopoeias and industry compendia update those lists often, since mixing up similarly named phenolics on the shop floor causes real headaches.
Anyone working with N-Butylcatechol faces a list of rules too important to ignore. Gloves and goggles form the first line of defense, since direct contact burns skin with barely a splash. Fume hoods or proper exhaust need to run nonstop, as inhaling the vapors irritates eyes, nose and lungs. Emergency showers and eyewash stations stay nearby in labs and industrial scales alike. Storage containers must be airtight and shielded from heat and sunlight, as even trace oxygen triggers oxidation. Waste disposal calls for neutralization and certified handling—departments that bend these rules wind up with unsafe air, contaminated water, or worse. Auditors routinely check logs and equipment, because lax practice often leads to recalls, workplace injury, or costly cleanups.
N-Butylcatechol helps keep the wheels turning in several industries. In synthetic rubber, it stops the breakdown of chains during polymerization, boosting product lifespan and performance. That advantage spreads to adhesives, sealants, and electrical insulation. In plastics, its antioxidant punch bars yellowing and brittleness, so products last longer on shelves and in real world use. Chemists in pharmaceuticals experiment with its derivatives for potential antimicrobial and antifungal effects, though efficacy and safety research can stretch over years. Oil refineries and pipelines use NBC in corrosion inhibitors, where maintaining metal strength brings cost savings and reduces hazard risk. Food packaging and drinking water systems don’t typically use it due to toxicity, yet the lessons learned from its behavior inform choices for other stabilizers with better biocompatibility.
Investments in research have broad goals. In academia, teams keep looking for safer, greener ways to create and modify N-Butylcatechol. Renewable feedstocks, bio-inspired catalysts, and solvent replacement get a lot of attention. Industry-backed labs focus on performance improvements—finding new blends, handling conditions, and additive packages for challenging environments. The overlap between electronics and polymer chemistry makes this compound interesting for flexible circuits and battery films. Nanotechnology and surface-science researchers probe modified butylcatechols for new coatings and smart materials, signaling future growth beyond classic applications.
Evidence from animal studies has flagged risks for skin corrosion and organ damage after repeated exposure. Occupational safety literature puts strict limits on workplace concentrations, since chronic inhalation leads to respiratory problems and liver effects. Researchers haven’t finished mapping long-term effects or subtle interactions with other industrial chemicals, so risk assessment always urges caution. Wastewater from production needs active treatment before release, as breakdown products persist and cause harm to aquatic life. Ongoing studies in environmental toxicology help shape stricter disposal regulations and workplace guidelines year by year.
Looking forward, real challenges and opportunities sit with N-Butylcatechol. Headlines about sustainability drive labs to test renewable raw materials and refine process efficiency, which reduces waste and energy. Regulatory pressures for green chemistry push for lower-toxicity analogs. As new fields like wearable electronics and smart coatings grow, scientists search for derivatives that fit stricter environmental profiles while matching performance. Automation in chemical factories means better quality control and safer handling. Even in a crowded field, N-Butylcatechol keeps earning its place, its known strengths matched by the push for responsible innovation and practical progress.
N-Butylcatechol doesn’t show up in everyday conversation. It pops up where it counts most—in factories, in rubber goods, and on assembly lines. For folks who work with rubber production, this chemical earns its place by keeping things together. If you’ve ever tugged on a rubber band, worn shoes with rubber soles, or handled rubber hoses, you’ve probably benefited from this low-profile compound.
Rubber runs into trouble during processing. Oxygen and heat love to attack it. Without help, rubber will turn brittle or crack under daily wear. N-Butylcatechol steps in as an antioxidant. Its chemical structure helps mop up those free radicals that threaten rubber’s durability. By breaking up those damaging chain reactions, goods last longer, perform better, and stay flexible.
This isn’t some side gig; N-Butylcatechol works on the front line of rubber preservation—especially in tires, conveyor belts, boots, automotive seals, and gaskets. Chemists learned long ago that a little bit of this compound in a rubber recipe leads to stronger, more reliable products.
Beyond rubber, N-Butylcatechol finds uses wherever dependable chemistry is in demand. It steps into action in dye formulation. Clothes, plastics, and composite materials pick up rich shades, thanks to its chemical ability to stabilize color in manufacturing. If a shirt stays bright after many washes, it’s not just by chance. The process needed a helper to keep the dye stable and the color lasting, and this is where N-Butylcatechol becomes valuable.
Industries that work with resins and adhesives bring in N-Butylcatechol to fight off early decomposition. I’ve watched production lines slow down or entire batches lost to poor stabilization. Switching to an antioxidant package like this one changes the game. One small ingredient can protect whole shipments from spoiling on store shelves or curing poorly before reaching the consumer.
Using a chemical for so many things does bring up questions of health and safety. The rubber industry already faces big challenges: constant worker safety requirements, hazardous waste, and calls for more sustainable practices. This compound needs careful handling; skin contact or inhalation isn’t something to shrug off. Workers should use gloves and ventilation, and plants need emergency plans in place.
I’ve seen growing interest in greener alternatives. Companies test new antioxidant blends designed to lower risks or use less hazardous components. So far, few contenders keep up with N-Butylcatechol’s performance. But companies must keep watch over developments in chemical safety regulations. Regulatory bodies like the EPA and ECHA stress transparency and best practice labeling, keeping companies accountable for worker and environmental health.
N-Butylcatechol sits in an odd spot—essential, but almost invisible to the outside world. As industries tighten environmental rules and labor practices, producers can’t ignore the calls for safer methods. The future looks set for more research into replacements and safer manufacturing, but so far, this chemical stays in the industrial toolbox, holding modern rubber and dyes together with quiet reliability.
Every chemistry lab has bottles with tricky names, but some stand out for their real-world applications. N-Butylcatechol isn't a household term, yet it's earned attention in both industrial and academic circles. The chemical formula for N-Butylcatechol is C10H14O2. This formula shows you’re dealing with ten carbon atoms, a pair of oxygens, and fourteen hydrogens wrapped up in this compound. You find the catechol “core” — a benzene ring with two hydroxyl groups right next to each other — joined to a four-carbon n-butyl side chain.
Understanding the formula does more than answer a test question. That n-butyl group attached to the catechol ring changes how the molecule behaves. Anyone who's worked with solvent systems knows that adding a longer carbon chain tweaks things like solubility and reactivity. In my lab experience, swapping out straight-up catechol for an alkylated version meant the difference between a sticky residue and a manageable product. Organic chemists lean on these differences for synthesis, and manufacturers use them to adjust properties in downstream products.
The chemical structure of N-Butylcatechol brings real benefits. This molecule acts as an antioxidant in adhesives, helping keep glues from breaking down when exposed to oxygen and light. Those who have handled adhesives in woodworking or construction see real-world improvements when products last longer in storage. In polymer science, adding this compound boosts resistance to degradation, so plastic parts keep their shape and strength. Years ago, tweaking the antioxidant loading in shoe soles helped make them last through rough weather — a direct payoff from smart chemistry decisions.
Working with N-Butylcatechol calls for care. The hydroxyl groups can react easily, forming colored byproducts on exposure to air. That’s not just a messy container; some byproducts pose risks to human health and the environment. Safety data sheets list skin and eye irritant warnings. Long-term exposure can mean trouble for workers who handle large volumes or deal with spills. People in industrial settings must rely on proper ventilation and gloves, and companies should put actual resources into training. Waste from production lines doesn’t just disappear, either. Treatment and disposal regulations keep communities and waterways safer.
Academic and private sector chemists both benefit from greater awareness of what goes into these formulas. Implementing green chemistry routes could eventually offer a safer N-Butylcatechol alternative, the way other alkyl phenols have started moving toward bio-based production. Teaching the formula right from the beginning gives students and early-career professionals context for where hazards and benefits come into play. I wish, during my own training, that more instructors had connected the technical formula to both its practical upside and the hidden costs.
Knowing that N-Butylcatechol has the chemical formula C10H14O2 means more than memorizing a set of letters and numbers. That understanding carries over into smarter lab handling, targeted product development, and better safety habits. As chemistry keeps moving forward, details like these belong in the toolkit of every curious mind looking to shape the future responsibly.
Chemical storage often looks simple on paper, but the reality can pack surprises. N-Butylcatechol, for instance, easily shows how easily overlooked mistakes turn into real safety problems. This compound isn’t famous, yet its applications stretch into making antioxidants, photographic chemicals, and stabilizers for polymers. Every chemist and facility manager should recognize why storing it right isn’t just about following a rule — it’s about protecting workers, property, and the environment.
N-Butylcatechol reacts fast with oxygen and certain metals, and it doesn’t take much for it to turn into something you wish you hadn’t left unattended. The compound can darken or form hazardous byproducts once it starts to oxidize. Its vapor is another concern, irritating to eyes and skin. Even before getting to storage, handling it already draws attention to every label and safety sheet.
I’ve worked in labs where some folks thought all chemicals could just sit on a shelf so long as the lid was tight. But with N-Butylcatechol, temperature swings shorten its shelf life. This chemical holds up best below 25°C. Rising heat speeds up reactions that can produce unsafe byproducts. Refrigeration helps, though freezing risks crystalizing it or messing with its consistency. One research facility I spent time at had temperature alarms set at 22°C for labs storing this sort of compound. Those extra steps trimmed waste and calmed nerves — both worthwhile outcomes.
Water shouldn’t find its way into any N-Butylcatechol container. Moisture creeps in through loose seals, eventually reacting with the compound, so airtight containers come out as the obvious choice. I always liked using amber glass bottles for storage. Not only do they seal tightly, they keep light out too. Direct light speeds up oxidation, and even indirect sun can ruin a whole batch in hours. Sometimes people go cheap or cut corners — but it never pays off, especially once you add up replacement costs and downtime.
Labels warn about storing away from oxidizers and strong acids, yet not everyone reads them. A department I visited once kept incompatible chemicals right next to each other until a minor spill proved how quickly things could escalate. N-Butylcatechol should stay far from open flames, oxidizers, and acid containers. I always found peace of mind by using dedicated cabinets marked just for organics — about as simple as you can get, but it sticks in your routine.
Simple steps go a long way: keep containers sealed tight, store in cool and dark spots, and check inventory regularly for leaks or changes in appearance. Staff who regularly handle N-Butylcatechol deserve up-to-date training — not just the new hires. I’ve found rotating stock based on expiration, and keeping a spill kit within arm’s reach, helps limit risks even further.
In a world where small missteps add up, the right storage habits for N-Butylcatechol don’t just protect the product — they protect livelihoods. That’s something worth putting real effort into.
N-Butylcatechol pops up in industries ranging from chemicals to rubber manufacturing. Many in the business may have heard of its usefulness, especially for antioxidant purposes and as a stabilizer. But concerns about safety and health risks still hang over compounds with complicated names like this.
Anyone who's spent time in a chemical lab will tell you: just because something sounds technical doesn’t always mean it’s wildly dangerous. Still, N-Butylcatechol is no cupcake. According to multiple safety data sheets, this compound can irritate skin, eyes, and the respiratory tract. Direct contact with concentrated forms can burn. Prolonged exposure starts to pose a bigger threat — absorption through the skin and repeated breathing around vapors can eventually affect the central nervous system and organ function.
The International Chemical Safety Cards and studies like those from the National Institutes of Health describe the acute oral LD50 in rats as being between 200-400 mg/kg. This level signals moderate toxicity, similar to common solvents found in older homes or workplaces. Most workers tend to respect chemicals like this, mainly because symptoms show up if you’re careless: redness, tearing, dizziness, nausea.
Beyond body contact, it’s worth paying attention to flammability. I learned early on not to underestimate how small spills can turn chaotic with energetic compounds. N-Butylcatechol sits in the group of chemicals that can catch fire quickly. Heated vapors can form explosive mixtures with air, which changes the way folks should store and handle them.
Many communities worry about environmental release. N-Butylcatechol degrades slowly. It can drift through water systems or soil if handled carelessly. That’s a headache for local wildlife and anyone responsible for drinking water. EPA documents classify similar phenol derivatives as persistent pollutants. Smaller spills or improper disposal make their way downstream, and cleanup isn’t as simple as tossing sawdust on it.
In real-world settings, simple habits make a difference. Respecting gloves, goggles, and respirators isn’t just corporate training spiel. I’ve seen workers in older plants lean too close to barrels or brush off splashes as no big deal. The aftermath ranges from angry skin to ER visits. There’s no reason to play tough with compounds that can sneak in through unprotected hands or open wounds.
The most effective change comes from clear rules and accessible information. I’ve worked places where every floor had up-to-date Material Safety Data Sheets and visible labels in plain language instead of confusing codes. Supervisors led regular walk-throughs, looking for leaks or forgotten containers.
Spill kits need to be close to actual work areas. Old storage or hidden break rooms often collect slow leaks or expired containers. Tossing out even one open can of N-Butylcatechol before it causes a problem always beats cleaning up after a fire or chemical exposure.
Companies handling chemicals like this have a duty to look further ahead. They can swap to safer alternatives where possible, but solid training and culture matter just as much. Whether you’re a technician, safety manager, or just the new hire moving barrels around, knowing what you’re handling — and why you’re treating it with respect — keeps everybody working and healthy. The facts don’t leave much room for shortcuts.
N-Butylcatechol, often used in polymerization as an inhibitor and in rubber production, draws a lot of attention for its chemical reactivity. Shelf life isn’t just a number on a data sheet. I remember unpacking shipments in a lab, discovering the frustrations of chemicals gone off—wasting budget, time, and sometimes creating hazardous leftovers. With N-Butylcatechol, this risk stays real if storage conditions get ignored.
A factory label will often stamp 12 months as an average shelf life for N-Butylcatechol, but this figure swings with circumstances. Oxygen, heat, and light start a slow, stubborn battle against stability. Even just a few months in a hot warehouse can lead to color changes, forming dark spots or a sticky residue. These visual cues signal oxidation or polymer formation, and you do not want those in your final product.
Working with multiple batches over the years, it’s clear: chilled, low-light storage in airtight containers preserves the white-to-slightly-yellow crystalline powder for a full year, sometimes longer. Once opened, exposure to air kicks off the degradation clock faster than many realize. Even a loose cap on a bottle will shorten your usable window significantly.
Many labs and production lines try to stretch the shelf life past what the manufacturer suggests, hoping for cost savings. This gamble sometimes pays off, but it can end up causing costly process failures—polymerization stops working as expected, or new side products creep into the mix. N-Butylcatechol that seems “just fine” can sometimes lead a batch to fail quality testing, and those mistakes rarely get caught until later. I’ve seen failed shipments get traced back to using expired or improperly stored inhibitor.
Even well-sealed containers can suffer if temperature swings wildly—think summer heat or cold storage units that aren’t reliable. Chemical suppliers see these claims all the time; spoiled product means money lost and sometimes lost trust among long-time clients. Conservative users stick to the 12-month window and log all opening dates, using oldest stock first. This approach turns into real savings over time.
To support chemical stability, store N-Butylcatechol below 25°C, away from direct light, in a well-ventilated location. Stainless steel or amber glass containers work best to prevent contamination and block UV rays. Linking purchase volumes more closely with actual consumption avoids excess, and keeping the inventory tight reduces the temptation to dip into older product. Some facilities use desiccant pouches for extra insurance against moisture.
Routine stock checks also matter. Don’t just rely on visual appearance; periodic lab testing of older stock using techniques like GC-MS or simple TLC can confirm purity and inhibitor function before adding it to a critical process.
From a safety standpoint, expired N-Butylcatechol poses fewer acute hazards than some organics, but degraded material can do unpredictable things in reactors or mixers. Investing attention in record-keeping and keen observation during handling not only cuts costs in the long run but keeps end products consistent.
For companies balancing cost and product integrity, respecting shelf life is not just about following chemical supplier advice—it’s about protecting people, product lines, and reputation with every batch mixed or barrel opened.
| Names | |
| Preferred IUPAC name | 4-butylbenzene-1,2-diol |
| Other names |
4-Butylcatechol 4-n-Butylcatechol TBC tert-Butylcatechol N-Butyl-1,2-benzenediol Butylpyrocatechol |
| Pronunciation | /ɛn-ˈbjuːtɪl-kəˈtiːkɒl/ |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | 88-68-6 |
| Beilstein Reference | 1207932 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:34432 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL74128 |
| ChemSpider | 34222 |
| DrugBank | DB08597 |
| ECHA InfoCard | ECHA InfoCard: "100.006.358 |
| EC Number | 204-876-7 |
| Gmelin Reference | 7545 |
| KEGG | C18712 |
| MeSH | D017348 |
| PubChem CID | 7719 |
| RTECS number | GF3150000 |
| UNII | DS9K3P8Y3B |
| UN number | UN1992 |
| CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | DTXSID6020085 |
| Properties | |
| Chemical formula | C10H14O2 |
| Molar mass | 138.19 g/mol |
| Appearance | Colorless to yellowish liquid |
| Odor | phenolic |
| Density | 0.969 g/cm³ |
| Solubility in water | insoluble |
| log P | 1.83 |
| Vapor pressure | 0.01 mmHg (20°C) |
| Acidity (pKa) | 10.0 |
| Basicity (pKb) | 7.74 |
| Magnetic susceptibility (χ) | -77.5·10⁻⁶ cm³/mol |
| Refractive index (nD) | 1.525 |
| Viscosity | 8.3 mPa·s (25 °C) |
| Dipole moment | 2.73 D |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std molar entropy (S⦵298) | 218.6 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ |
| Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298) | -181.2 kJ·mol⁻¹ |
| Std enthalpy of combustion (ΔcH⦵298) | -5094.7 kJ/mol |
| Pharmacology | |
| ATC code | D11AX11 |
| Hazards | |
| GHS labelling | GHS02, GHS05, GHS07, GHS08 |
| Pictograms | GHS02,GHS05 |
| Signal word | Danger |
| Hazard statements | H302, H312, H315, H318, H332, H335 |
| Precautionary statements | P210, P261, P280, P305+P351+P338, P337+P313 |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | 1-3-0 |
| Flash point | 86 °C |
| Autoignition temperature | > 590 °C (1094 °F; 863 K) |
| Explosive limits | Explosive limits: 1.6–8.8% |
| Lethal dose or concentration | Lethal dose or concentration (LD50 or LC50) for N-Butylcatechol: **LD50 (oral, rat): 1560 mg/kg** |
| LD50 (median dose) | LD50 (median dose): 575 mg/kg (oral, rat) |
| NIOSH | WA8400000 |
| PEL (Permissible) | PEL (Permissible Exposure Limit) for N-Butylcatechol: 5 mg/m³ |
| REL (Recommended) | 2 years |
| IDLH (Immediate danger) | IDHL: 6 ppm |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds |
Catechol 4-tert-Butylcatechol 4-Methylcatechol Guaiacol |
