n-Butyl lactate is an industrial chemical and food additive.

n-Butyl lactate
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
Butyl 2-hydroxypropanoate
Other names
Butyl ester of 2-hydroxypropanoic acid
Butyl ester of lactic acid
Butyl 2-hydroxypropanoate
Butyl α-hydroxypropionate
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.004.834 Edit this at Wikidata
EC Number
  • 205-316-4
MeSH C114966
RTECS number
  • OD4025000
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C7H14O3/c1-3-4-5-10-7(9)6(2)8/h6,8H,3-5H2,1-2H3
    Key: MRABAEUHTLLEML-UHFFFAOYSA-N
  • CCCCOC(=O)C(C)O
Properties
C7H14O3
Molar mass 146.186 g·mol−1
Appearance Clear, colorless to white liquid
Odor Mild, transient
Density 0.98 g/cm3 (20°C)[1]
Melting point −43 °C; −45 °F; 230 K[1]
Boiling point 188 °C; 370 °F; 461 K[1]
slightly soluble[1]
Solubility Soluble in ethyl ether, ethanol[2]
Vapor pressure 0.4 mmHg (20°C)[1]
Hazards
Flash point 71 °C; 160 °F; 344 K[1]
382 °C (720 °F; 655 K)[2]
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
>5 g/kg (oral, rabbit)[3]

>2000 mg/kg (oral, rat)[3]
>5 g/kg (skin, rabbit)[3]
>5000 mg/kg (skin, rat)[3]
12 g/kg (subcutaneous, rat)[3]

11 g/kg (subcutaneous, mouse)[3]
NIOSH (US health exposure limits):
REL (Recommended)
5 ppm (25 mg/m3)[1]
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).

Uses

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In an industrial context, n-butyl lactate is used as a solvent and as a chemical feedstock. It is used as a dairy-related flavoring agent.[2]

Metabolism

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It is metabolized to lactic acid, which is in turn metabolized to n-butanol, n-butyraldehyde, and n-butyric acid.[4]

Safety

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n-Butyl lactate reacts with strong acids, strong bases, and oxidizers. It is also flammable. Exposure to dangerous amounts can occur through inhalation, ingestion, skin contact, or eye contact and causes irritation of the affected area, drowsiness, headache, central nervous system depression, nausea, and vomiting.[1] It is approved as a food additive by the US Food and Drug Administration.[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. "#0082". National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
  2. ^ a b c CID 8738 from PubChem
  3. ^ a b c d e f "N-butyl lactate". CDC/NIOSH. 28 March 2018.
  4. ^ a b "n-Butyl lactate". OSHA.