Page 169 - Chemical and process design handbook

Speight_Part II_B 11/7/01 3:11 PM Page 2.110

n-BUTYL ALCOHOL

o
n-Butanol (n-butanol; boiling point: 117.7 C, density: 0.8097, flash point:
o
28.9 C) can be obtained from carbohydrates (such as molasses and grain)
by fermentation. Acetone and ethanol are produced as by-products.
C H O → CH CH CH CH OH + CH COCH
6 12 6 3 2 2 2 3 3
+ CH CH OH + CO + H
3 2 2 2
Propylene and synthesis gas give n-butyl alcohol; iso-butyl alcohol is a
by-product.
CH CH=CH + CO + H → CH CH CH CHO
3 2 2 2 3 2 2
CH CH CH CHO + H → CH CH CH CH OH
3 2 2 2 3 2 2 2
n-Butyl alcohol is used in the manufacture of butyl acrylate and methacry-
late, glycol ethers, solvents, butyl acetate, and plasticizers.

See Oxo Reaction, Synthesis Gas.

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