Page 160 - Chemical and process design handbook

Speight_Part II_B 11/7/01 3:11 PM Page 2.101

BUTANEDIOL 2.101
The largest uses of butanediol are internal consumption in manufacture
of tetrahydrofuran and butyrolactone. The largest merchant uses are for
poly(butylene terephthalate) resins and in polyurethanes, both as a chain
extender and as an ingredient in a hydroxyl-terminated polyester used as a
macroglycol. Butanediol is also used as a solvent, as a monomer for vari-
ous condensation polymers, and as an intermediate in the manufacture of
other chemicals.