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Chemical Datasheet
N-BUTYL ETHER |
|
Chemical Identifiers
CAS Number |
UN/NA Number |
DOT Hazard Label |
USCG CHRIS Code |
- 142-96-1
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NIOSH Pocket Guide |
International Chem Safety Card |
none
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NFPA 704
General Description
A clear colorless liquid with an ethereal odor. Flash point below 141°F. Less dense than water and insoluble in water. Vapors heavier than air. Irritates the eyes, nose, throat, and respiratory tract.
Hazards
Reactivity Alerts
- Highly Flammable
- Peroxidizable Compound
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable. Oxidizes readily in air to form unstable peroxides that may explode spontaneously [Bretherick 1979 p.151-154, 164]. A mixture of liquid air and diethyl ether exploded spontaneously [MCA Case History 616 1960]. Insoluble in water.
Fire Hazard
Behavior in Fire: Vapor is heavier than air and may travel a considerable distance to a source of ignition and flash back. (USCG, 1999)
Health Hazard
Inhalation causes irritation of nose and throat. Liquid irritates eyes and may irritate skin on prolonged contact. Ingestion causes irritation of mouth and stomach. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
Ethers, such as N-BUTYL ETHER can act as bases. They form salts with strong acids and addition complexes with Lewis acids. The complex between diethyl ether and boron trifluoride is an example. Ethers may react violently with strong oxidizing agents. In other reactions, which typically involve the breaking of the carbon-oxygen bond, ethers are relatively inert.
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents
No information available.
Response Recommendations
Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from 128
[Flammable Liquids (Water-Immiscible)]:
IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area for at least 50 meters (150 feet) in all directions.
LARGE SPILL: Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 300 meters (1000 feet).
FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2020)
Firefighting
Excerpt from 128
[Flammable Liquids (Water-Immiscible)]:
CAUTION: The majority of these products have a very low flash point. Use of water spray when fighting fire may be inefficient. CAUTION: For mixtures containing alcohol or polar solvent, alcohol-resistant foam may be more effective.
SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2, water spray or regular foam.
LARGE FIRE: Water spray, fog or regular foam. Avoid aiming straight or solid streams directly onto the product. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.
FIRE INVOLVING TANKS OR CAR/TRAILER LOADS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. For petroleum crude oil, do not spray water directly into a breached tank car. This can lead to a dangerous boil over. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire. For massive fire, use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn. (ERG, 2020)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from 128
[Flammable Liquids (Water-Immiscible)]:
ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. All equipment used when handling the product must be grounded. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. A vapor-suppressing foam may be used to reduce vapors. Absorb or cover with dry earth, sand or other non-combustible material and transfer to containers. Use clean, non-sparking tools to collect absorbed material.
LARGE SPILL: Dike far ahead of liquid spill for later disposal. Water spray may reduce vapor, but may not prevent ignition in closed spaces. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
Goggles or face shield; rubber gloves. (USCG, 1999)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)
Chemical |
CAS Number |
State |
QS |
QC |
SL |
C3 |
TF |
TP |
RC |
TK |
RF |
Butyl ether, n- |
142-96-1 |
Liquid |
|
|
|
117 |
223*/285 |
>480 |
>480 |
>480 |
>480 |
Special Warning from DuPont: Tychem® and Tyvek® fabrics should not be
used around heat, flames, sparks or in potentially flammable or
explosive environments. Only...
(DuPont, 2023)
First Aid
EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.
SKIN: IMMEDIATELY flood affected skin with water while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Gently wash all affected skin areas thoroughly with soap and water. If symptoms such as redness or irritation develop, IMMEDIATELY call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital for treatment.
INHALATION: IMMEDIATELY leave the contaminated area; take deep breaths of fresh air. If symptoms (such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or burning in the mouth, throat, or chest) develop, call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital. Provide proper respiratory protection to rescuers entering an unknown atmosphere. Whenever possible, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) should be used; if not available, use a level of protection greater than or equal to that advised under Protective Clothing.
INGESTION: DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. If the victim is conscious and not convulsing, give 1 or 2 glasses of water to dilute the chemical and IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center. Be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital if advised by a physician. If the victim is convulsing or unconscious, do not give anything by mouth, ensure that the victim's airway is open and lay the victim on his/her side with the head lower than the body. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital. (NTP, 1992)
Physical Properties
Flash Point:
77°F
(NTP, 1992)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL):
1.5 %
(NTP, 1992)
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL):
7.6 %
(NTP, 1992)
Autoignition Temperature:
382°F
(USCG, 1999)
Melting Point:
-144°F
(NTP, 1992)
Vapor Pressure:
4.8 mmHg
at 68°F
(NTP, 1992)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air):
4.48
(NTP, 1992)
- Heavier than air; will sink
Specific Gravity:
0.767
at 68°F
(USCG, 1999)
- Less dense than water; will float
Boiling Point:
288°F
at 760 mmHg
(NTP, 1992)
Molecular Weight:
130.23
(NTP, 1992)
Water Solubility:
less than 1 mg/mL
at 72.5°F
(NTP, 1992)
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: data unavailable
AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)
No AEGL information available.
ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)
No ERPG information available.
PACs (Protective Action Criteria)
Chemical |
PAC-1 |
PAC-2 |
PAC-3 |
|
Butyl ether, n-; (Dibutyl ether) (142-96-1)
|
2.6 ppm |
29 ppm |
170 ppm |
LEL = 15000 ppm |
(DOE, 2018)
Regulatory Information
EPA Consolidated List of Lists
No regulatory information available.
CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)
No regulatory information available.
OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List
No regulatory information available.
Alternate Chemical Names
- 1-BUTOXY BUTANE
- 1-BUTOXYBUTANE
- BUTYL ETHER
- BUTYL ETHERS
- BUTYL OXIDE
- DI-N-BUTYL ETHER
- DIBUTYL ETHER
- DIBUTYL ETHER (NORMAL)
- DIBUTYL ETHERS
- DIBUTYL OXIDE
- N-BUTYL ETHER
- N-DIBUTYL ETHER
- 1,1'-OXYBIS(BUTANE)
- 1,1'-OXYBISBUTANE