2-Butylamine, known by its molecular formula C4H11N, shows up as a colorless liquid at room temperature, with a strong, sharp odor that serves as a reminder of its amine group. Most people who handle this substance in the lab or factory can spot the scent right away. 2-Butylamine belongs to the alkylamines, a set of chemicals valued for building other compounds, making it a typical choice among chemical raw materials. Its straightforward structure features a butyl chain connected to an amino group, delivering both reactivity and flexibility. Molar mass clocks in at about 73.15 g/mol, marking it as fairly light. Chemists and industrial workers see it often in the liquid state, rarely as flakes, powder, pearls, or crystals.
Density matters in the chemical world, and 2-Butylamine lands at around 0.74 g/cm³. With this low density, spills travel fast and can cover ground on work surfaces. Boiling point reaches 78°C, while flash point sits near 11°C, so it's quick to vaporize and catches fire with ease. Packing 2-Butylamine in glass or steel containers with appropriate seals keeps the vapors in check. Coming into contact with this liquid can irritate the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract — I've seen the effects from a small splash during a rushed transfer, leading to a day of red, itchy hands even through gloves. Inhalation risk can't be ignored; the fumes sting the nose and throat almost instantly, pushing for strong ventilation and fitted respirators in the workspace.
HS Code for 2-Butylamine is usually referenced as 2921.19. Industrial buyers recognize this number right away for shipping and customs. Producers of pharmaceuticals and pesticides rely on this compound to supply the amino group needed for their products. 2-Butylamine shows up in pesticide intermediates, rubber chemicals, corrosion inhibitors, and dye production. Its reactivity helps tie together larger molecules, especially in crops and medical research. In my experience manufacturing crop-protection agents, a reliable supply of 2-Butylamine can make or break a production schedule—temporary shortages ripple through the supply chain because substitutes lack its balance of cost, reactivity, and dependability.
Every chemical with a strong personality carries risk, and 2-Butylamine isn’t an exception. Its vapor forms explosive mixtures with air, a hazard in poorly ventilated rooms or transport tanks. Leaks lead to rapid dispersion, especially at room temperature. Many safety data sheets rank it as both hazardous and harmful, thanks to acute toxicity if swallowed, inhaled, or in contact with the skin. Handling this chemical calls for chemical-resistant gloves, splash-proof goggles, and fume extraction—the basics. Fire crews train with 2-Butylamine in mind, because its lightweight vapors run low to the ground, creating flashback risk. Emergency response plans often include foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide to snuff out flames, never just water, as that can spread the runoff and carry risks to groundwater and rivers.
Warehouses and storerooms keep 2-Butylamine in tightly closed drums, far from oxidizers. Temperature swings force expansion inside containers, so pressure-relief systems aren’t just a detail. Lab staff train yearly in how to transfer the material, learning from the mistakes of previous spills and the resulting cleanup headaches. Even at small-scale, eye wash stations and showers become mandatory within reach, not tucked away across the building. On the road, shipping companies often flag containers containing this liquid with hazardous material placards, alerting first responders to the explosion and poisoning risks. In manufacturing plants, real-time sensors track vapor leaks, with backup alarms that don't get switched off for convenience.
2-Butylamine's structure—CH3(CH2)3NH2—lends itself to rapid reaction with acids and various alkylating agents. It blends into solutions quickly and dissolves in water at a rate many similar compounds don’t reach. This high solubility allows for precise dosing in chemical synthesis, but also means any accidental discharge spills into wastewater and persists—another reason operators need watertight procedures. Its basicity stands out, as it frequently scoops up protons and forms salts, which makes it a building block for more complex pharmaceutical or agricultural chemicals. My own experiments with 2-Butylamine taught me that a single miscalculation in a buffered solution can send reaction pH levels spinning, so accuracy in mixing and measurement protects both product yield and operator safety.
Industry groups that use 2-Butylamine face ongoing questions about workplace exposure, long-term toxicity, and environmental impact. Safer facility design prioritizes closed-loop systems, keeping vapor exposure to a minimum. Automated handling systems cut down worker contact. Companies introducing workplace monitoring make air toxicity spikes rarer. Standing procedures for spills and emergencies grow out of real-world mistakes—a memory of an unplanned evacuation after a leaky valve proves lasting motivation for stricter training. Wastewater from cleaning and discarded solutions passes through dedicated treatment steps to trap hazardous residues before they seep into local water supplies. Health authorities monitor worker health and push manufacturers to report incidents regularly, tightening oversight on one of the chemical industry’s most crucial but hazardous raw materials.
2-Butylamine may look like a routine industrial chemical, but behind the name sits a complicated mix of usefulness and risk. Its reach stretches across pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and dyes, yet the need for constant vigilance never slips away. Keeping workers safe, protecting communities, and defending the environment call for hands-on safety measures and a readiness to adapt when new information or technology emerges. Only with that combination can industries hope to make full use of 2-Butylamine’s strengths without falling victim to its hazards.
