Di-n-butyl ether Basic information
Product Name: Di-n-butyl ether
Synonyms: DIBUTYL ETHER;DIBUTYL OXIDE;DI-N-BUTYL ETHER;DL-N-BUTYL ETHER;BUTYL ETHER;1-BUTOXYBUTANE;1,1'-OXYBIS(BUTANE);(n-C4H9)2O
CAS: 142-96-1
MF: C8H18O
MW: 130.23
EINECS: 205-575-3
Product Categories: Solvent Bottles;Solvent by Application;Solvent Packaging Options;Solvents;Anhydrous Solvents;Sure/Seal Bottles;ACS and Reagent Grade Solvents;Amber Glass Bottles;Carbon Steel Cans with NPT Threads;Closed Head Drums;Drums Product Line;ReagentPlus;ReagentPlus Solvent Grade Products;ACS Grade Solvents;Semi-Bulk Solvents
Mol File: 142-96-1.mol

Di-n-butyl ether Chemical Properties
Melting point  −98 °C(lit.)
Boiling point  142-143 °C(lit.)
density  0.764 g/mL at 25 °C(lit.)
vapor density  4.48 (vs air)
vapor pressure  4.8 mm Hg ( 20 °C)
refractive index  n20/D 1.399(lit.)
Fp  77 °F
storage temp.  Flammables area
solubility  H2O: soluble0.113g/L at 20°C
form  Liquid
color  Clear colorless
Relative polarity 1.7
Odor Mild, ether-like.
PH 5.2 (0.2g/l, H2O, 20℃)
PH Range 5.2
explosive limit 0.9-8.5%(V)
Water Solubility  0.03 g/100 mL (20 ºC)
Merck  14,1569
BRN  1732752
Stability: Stable. Flammable. May form peroxides in storage. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents.
InChIKey DURPTKYDGMDSBL-UHFFFAOYSA-N
CAS DataBase Reference 142-96-1(CAS DataBase Reference)
NIST Chemistry Reference n-Butyl ether(142-96-1)
EPA Substance Registry System Butyl ether (142-96-1)
Safety Information
Hazard Codes  Xi
Risk Statements  10-36/37/38-52/53
Safety Statements  61-24/25
RIDADR  UN 1149 3/PG 3
WGK Germany  2
RTECS  EK5425000
Autoignition Temperature 365 °F
Hazard Note  Irritant
TSCA  Yes
HazardClass  3
PackingGroup  III
HS Code  29091990
Hazardous Substances Data 142-96-1(Hazardous Substances Data)
Toxicity LD50 orally in rats: 7.4 g/kg (Smyth)

Di-n-butyl ether Usage And Synthesis
Chemical Properties Di-n-butyl ether is colourless liquid with ether-like odour
Chemical Properties Di-n-butyl ether is a flammable, colorless liquid with a mild, ethereal odor.
Uses Solvent for hydrocarbons, fatty materials; extracting agent used especially for separating met- als, solvent purification, organic synthesis (reaction medium).
General Description Di-n-butyl ether is 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.
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.
Reactivity Profile Ethers, such as 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.
Hazard Toxic on prolonged inhalation. Flammable, moderate fire risk. May form explosive peroxides, especially in anhydrous form.
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.
Fire Hazard Behavior in Fire: Vapor is heavier than air and may travel a considerable distance to a source of ignition and flash back.
Chemical Reactivity Reactivity with Water No reaction; Reactivity with Common Materials: No reaction; Stability During Transport: Stable; Neutralizing Agents for Acids and Caustics: Not pertinent; Polymerization: Not pertinent; Inhibitor of Polymerization: Not pertinent.
Industrial uses n-Butyl ether is used in synthesis reactions that require an anhydrous, inert solvent. This ether is a valuable extraction solvent for aqueous solutions because of its low water solubility. n-Butyl ether when mixed with ethanol or butanol is an excellent solvent for ethyl cellulose.
Safety Profile Mildly toxic by inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact. Human systemic effects by inhalation: conjunctiva irritation and unspecified nasal effects. An experimental skin and human eye irritant. See also ETHERS. Dangerous fire hazard when exposed to heat, flame, oroxidizers. Incompatible with NCL and oxidizing materials. To fight fire, use alcohol foam, dry chemical. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and fumes.
Potential Exposure Di-n-butyl ether is used as a solvent for hydrocarbons, fatty materials; extracting agent in used metals separation; solvent purification, making other chemicals. Incompatibilities: May form explosive mixture with air. May accumulate static electrical charges, and may cause ignition of its vapors. Incompatible with strong acids; oxidizers. Contact with air or light may form unstable and explosive peroxides, especially anhydrous form.
Shipping UN1149 Butyl ethers & Dibutyl ethers, Hazard Class: 3; Labels: 3—Flammable liquid
Purification Methods Peroxides (detected by the liberation of iodine from weakly acid HCl solutions of 2% KI) can be removed by shaking 1L of ether with 5-10mL of a solution comprising of 6.0g of ferrous sulfate and 6mL conc H2SO4 and 110mL of water, with aqueous Na2SO3, or with acidified NaI, water, then aqueous Na2S2O3. After washing with dilute NaOH, KOH, or Na2CO3, then water, the ether is dried with CaCl2 and distilled. It can be further dried by distillation from CaH2 or Na (after drying with P2O5), and stored in the dark with Na or NaH. The ether can also be purified by treating with CS2 and NaOH, expelling the excess sulfide by heating. The ether is then washed with water, dried with NaOH and distilled [Kusama & Koike J Chem Soc Jpn, Pure Chem Sect 72 229 1951]. Other purification procedures include passage through an activated alumina column to remove peroxides, or through a column of silica gel, and distillation after adding about 3% (v/v) of a 1M solution of MeMgI in n-butyl ether. [Beilstein 1 IV 1520.]
Waste Disposal Dissolve or mix the material with a combustible solvent and burn in a chemical incinerator equipped with an afterburner and scrubber. All federal, state, and local environmental regulations must be observed.