Shandong Huashang Chemical Co., Ltd. is a high-tech enterprise focused on industry of fine chemicals research and develop, produce and sale. Shandong Huashang Chemical Co., Ltd. is located in Shan Dong Ji Nan China. we have the ability to provide you high quality products. More than 90 % of our products are exported to developed countries and regions such as north America, Europe, Japan, South Korea and the Middle East.
Butyl Levulinate
1. Basic Information
Name: Butyl levulinate
Alias: Butyl 4-oxopentanoate, n-Butyl levulinate
CAS No.: 2052-15-5
Molecular Formula: C9H16O3
Molecular Weight: 172.22
Category: Bio-based keto ester, green solvent, flavor & pharmaceutical intermediate
2. Physical and Chemical Properties
Physical Properties
- Appearance: Colorless transparent oily liquid
- Odor: Mild sweet fruity, caramel-like aroma
- Solubility: Miscible with ethanol, acetone, ethyl acetate, toluene; slightly soluble in water
- Boiling Point: 230–235 °C
- Refractive Index nD20: 1.426–1.430
- Density (20℃): 0.972–0.978 g/cm3
- Flash Point: >100 ℃, low flammability risk
- Hygroscopy: Slightly hygroscopic
- Aqueous Property: Neutral, slow hydrolysis under strong acid/alkali heating
Chemical Properties
- Molecular Structure: Contains ketone carbonyl and butyl ester bifunctional groups, levulinic acid n-butyl ester
- Carbonyl reactivity: Condensation, reduction, imine formation; can synthesize heterocyclic compounds
- Ester reactivity: Transesterification, saponification, amidation under acid/base catalysis
- Thermal Stability: Stable below 200 ℃; prolonged high temperature leads to intramolecular dehydration cyclization
- Photostability: Slightly sensitive to long-term strong UV light, faint yellowing
- Compatibility: Compatible with most polar/non-polar solvents, resin, polymer; incompatible with concentrated strong alkali, strong oxidants
3. Main Application Fields
1. Environmentally Friendly High-Boiling Solvent (Core Application)
High-boiling slow-evaporating solvent for water-based coatings, printing inks, agricultural pesticide formulations, replacing toxic high-boiling aromatic solvents; excellent solvency for resins, pigments
2. Food & Daily Flavor
Fruit caramel flavor additive for candy, beverage, baked goods, essence carrier
3. Pharmaceutical Synthetic Intermediate
Precursor for anti-inflammatory, antibacterial heterocyclic APIs; carbonyl group as key reaction site
4. Biomass Chemical Raw Material
Derived from renewable lignocellulose levulinic acid, green chemical building block; also used as plasticizer auxiliary
4. Quality Specification Table
| Test Item | Standard Specification |
| CAS Number | 2052-15-5 |
| Molecular Formula | C9H16O3 |
| Appearance | Colorless clear liquid without suspended impurities |
| GC Purity | Industrial Grade ≥99.0% |
| Water Content (KF) | ≤0.10% |
| Acid Value | ≤0.5 mgKOH/g |
| Distillation Range | 228–236 ℃ ≥95% |
| Residue on Ignition | ≤0.01% |
| Single Unknown Impurity | ≤0.20% |
| Heavy Metals (Pb) | ≤10 ppm |
| Packaging | Nitrogen-sealed iron drum / amber plastic barrel |
| Storage Condition | Hermetically sealed cool warehouse below 25 ℃; away from strong oxidants, direct sunlight |
| Transportation Requirement | Low-toxicity low-flammability ester liquid, ordinary chemical packaging, avoid high temperature |
| Shelf Life | 36 months under nitrogen sealed storage |
Safety Warning
Low-toxicity mild irritant ester liquid. Vapor may cause slight eye and respiratory discomfort; long-term skin contact leads to skin degreasing and dryness. All operations carried out in ventilated fume hood with chemical-resistant gloves and safety goggles. Avoid heating with strong alkali to accelerate ester hydrolysis. Waste liquid recoverable by distillation; residual liquid neutralized before discharge, classified as general organic hazardous waste for professional disposal.
