Butyl propionate is a butyl ester of propionic acid. This ester has the chemical formula CH₃CH₂COO(CH₂)₃CH₃.

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Butyl propionate

Names
IUPAC name Butyl propionate
Systematic IUPAC name Butyl propanoate
Other names n-Butyl propanoate n-Butyl propionate Propanoic acid, butyl ester Propionic acid, butyl ester
Identifiers
CAS Number	590-01-2
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChEBI	CHEBI:89831
ChemSpider	11045
ECHA InfoCard	100.008.791
EC Number	209-669-5
PubChem CID	11529
RTECS number	UE8245000
UN number	1914
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID5027223
InChI InChI=1S/C7H14O2/c1-3-5-6-9-7(8)4-2/h3-6H2,1-2H3[1] Key: BTMVHUNTONAYDX-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES CCCCOC(=O)CC
Properties
Chemical formula	CH3CH2COO(CH2)3CH3
Molar mass	130.187 g·mol−1
Appearance	Colorless liquid
Odor	Pear drops, apple, strawberry, earthy, faintly sweet[1]
Density	0.8754 g/cm3[1]
Melting point	−89 °C (−128 °F; 184 K)[1]
Boiling point	146.8 °C (296.2 °F; 419.9 K)[1]
Solubility in water	1.5 mg/mL at 20 °C (poor)[1]
Solubility	Miscible with alcohol, ether[1]
log P	2.314[1]
Vapor pressure	0.589 kPa 0.38 kPa at 20 °C[1]
Refractive index (nD)	1.4014
Hazards
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards	Very flammable
GHS labelling:
Pictograms
Signal word	Warning
Hazard statements	H226
Precautionary statements	P210, P233, P240, P241, P242, P243, P280, P303+P361+P353, P370+P378, P403+P235, P501
Flash point	90 °F (32 °C)[1]
Autoignition temperature	425 °C (797 °F)[1]
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
LD50 (median dose)	5 gm/kg (oral, rat) >14 gm/kg (skin, rabbit) [1]
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references

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Butyl propionate is a plant metabolite, a human metabolite and an insect attractant. Butyl propionate is a natural ester found in Armenian apricot.^[1]

Butyl propionate is derived by esterification of propionic acid with butanol.^[1]

CH₃CH₂COOH + CH₃(CH₂)₃OH ⇌ CH₃CH₂COO(CH₂)₃CH₃ + H₂O

Butyl propionate is a colorless liquid with a pear drops-like or apple-like odor. The liquid is less dense than water. Its vapor is 4.5 times denser than the air at the mean ocean level.^[1]

Butyl propionate is used to make fragrances, perfumes and as a flavoring. It is also used in paints and primers for auto body or engine, appliance coatings (paints designed specifically for painting household items and vehicles like microwave ovens, refrigerators and automobiles), enamels, lacquers, and printing inks, as a solvent for adhesives and nitrocellulose, and in polymerization reactions for acrylic resins.^[1]

Butyl propionate may irritate skin and eyes. Exposure to its vapor may cause eye and respiratory system irritation. Upon ingestion, causes abdominal pain and nausea. This chemical is very flammable. It may ignite even at ambient temperatures. Above 32 °C (90 °F), explosive mixtures with air may be formed. Strong oxidizing acids may cause a violent reaction that is sufficiently exothermic to ignite this chemical and the reaction products. Upon catching a fire, irritating, toxic and suffocating gases may be produced, such as carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.^[1]