BUTYL MERCAPTAN

Diamond	Hazard	Value	Description
3 1 0	Health	1	Can cause significant irritation.
	Flammability	3	Can be ignited under almost all ambient temperature conditions.
	Instability	0	Normally stable, even under fire conditions.
	Special

A clear, colorless liquid with a strong skunk-like odor. Flash point in range -18 to 43°F. Less dense than water and slightly soluble in water. Vapors heavier than air.

• Highly Flammable

Highly flammable. Slightly soluble in water.

Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Irritating sulfur dioxide may form.

Behavior in Fire: Vapors are heavier than air and may travel long distance to a source of ignition and flash back. (USCG, 1999)

Inhalation causes loss of sense of smell; muscular weakness. convulsions, and respiratory paralysis may follow prolonged exposure. Contact of liquid with eyes or skin causes slight irritation. Ingestion causes nausea. (USCG, 1999)

BUTYL MERCAPTAN is incompatible with acids, diazo and azo compounds, halocarbons, isocyanates, aldehydes, alkali metals, nitrides, hydrides, and other strong reducing agents. Reactions with these materials generate heat and in many cases hydrogen gas. May liberate hydrogen sulfide upon decomposition or reaction with an acid. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents (USCG, 1999).

• Sulfides, Organic

No information available.

Excerpt from ERG Guide 130 [Flammable Liquids (Water-Immiscible / Noxious)]:

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 tank car or highway tank 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, 2024)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 130 [Flammable Liquids (Water-Immiscible / Noxious)]:

CAUTION: The majority of these products have a very low flash point. Use of water spray when fighting fire may be inefficient.

SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2, water spray or regular foam. If regular foam is ineffective or unavailable, use alcohol-resistant foam.

LARGE FIRE: Water spray, fog or regular foam. If regular foam is ineffective or unavailable, use alcohol-resistant 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, RAIL TANK CARS OR HIGHWAY TANKS: 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. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks in direct contact with flames. For massive fire, use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn. (ERG, 2024)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 130 [Flammable Liquids (Water-Immiscible / Noxious)]:

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, 2024)

Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for n-Butyl mercaptan:

Skin: PREVENT SKIN CONTACT - Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact.

Eyes: PREVENT EYE CONTACT - Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact.

Wash skin: WHEN CONTAMINATED - The worker should immediately wash the skin when it becomes contaminated.

Remove: WHEN WET (FLAMMABLE) - Work clothing that becomes wet should be immediately removed due to its flammability hazard (i.e., for liquids with a flash point <100°F).

Change: No recommendation is made specifying the need for the worker to change clothing after the workshift. (NIOSH, 2024)

No information available.

Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for n-Butyl mercaptan:

Eye: IRRIGATE IMMEDIATELY - If this chemical contacts the eyes, immediately wash (irrigate) the eyes with large amounts of water, occasionally lifting the lower and upper lids. Get medical attention immediately.

Skin: SOAP WASH PROMPTLY - If this chemical contacts the skin, promptly wash the contaminated skin with soap and water. If this chemical penetrates the clothing, promptly remove the clothing and wash the skin with soap and water. Get medical attention promptly.

Breathing: RESPIRATORY SUPPORT - If a person breathes large amounts of this chemical, move the exposed person to fresh air at once. If breathing has stopped, perform artificial respiration. Keep the affected person warm and at rest. Get medical attention as soon as possible.

Swallow: MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY - If this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention immediately. (NIOSH, 2024)

• BUTANETHIOL
• 1-BUTANETHIOL
• BUTYL MERCAPTAN
• 1-BUTYL MERCAPTAN
• BUTYLTHIOL
• 1-MERCAPTOBUTANE
• N-BUTANETHIOL
• N-BUTYL MERCAPTAN
• N-BUTYL THIOALCOHOL
• N-BUTYLTHIOL
• THIOBUTYL ALCOHOL