N-Butylamine is an organic compound that shows up as a clear, colorless liquid with a strong, fish-like odor. Known in the chemical world by its formula C4H11N, it sits among the larger list of aliphatic amines, packing a straightforward structure. The molecule counts four carbon atoms in a straight line, hooked to an amino group. Its density usually stays around 0.74 g/cm3 at room temperature, and it packs a boiling point hovering around 77 degrees Celsius. Plenty of folks handle raw materials like this in the lab and industry, often with caution because of how easily its vapors catch fire and how quickly it finds its way into your system through skin or lungs.
You will not find N-Butylamine in solid, crystal, powder, flakes, or pearl form under normal conditions—it chooses to stay liquid at ambient temperature and turns gaseous if you leave the cap off. Packed in drums or big bottles, most manufacturers sell it by the liter or ton, always labeled with a clear hazard symbol. Water mixes with it without fuss, although it leaves a pungent trace in its wake. For folks dealing with raw materials, knowing its physical specs matters: flash point just above 0 degrees Celsius, so cold storage and proper ventilation mean safety. HS Code jumps out as 29211100, so customs and importers don't miss its listing among other amines.
C4H11N unpacks to a straight line of four carbons capped by an NH2 group at one end. That terminal amino group gives N-Butylamine its reactivity, making it a handy building block in the chemical world. Its molecular weight lands at about 73.14 g/mol. Chemists value this simplicity for synthesis work. The lone pair on nitrogen bonds easily, which brings in both promise and risk during processing. This property keeps it in steady demand for making pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and rubber accelerators. As a raw material, it’s prized for how cleanly it acts in chemical reactions and how little residue it leaves behind.
N-Butylamine proves as flammable as they come, with a low flash point and a vapor that drifts fast and far. Keep this in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place. Liquid leaks find their way into drains fast, while the smell makes it hard to ignore even the smallest accident. Anyone handling the material should have protective gloves, goggles, and a respirator ready to go. The chemical brings a corrosive bite, so burns are a real risk. In terms of stability, it resists gradual degradation and will stay intact for years if stored in sealed containers out of sunlight. Various solutions made from it—sometimes with water, sometimes another alcohol—end up used as reagents in the lab or blended into larger chemical mixes.
The liquid and its fumes both irritate skin, eyes, nose, and throat on contact. In larger amounts, exposure can lead to headaches, coughing, and even chemical burns. Any splash or uncontrolled vapor incident turns serious fast. Fire departments treat spills with foam or dry powder. Factories tend to invest in both fire suppression and chemical-resistant pumps. Safety sheets warn against pouring N-Butylamine down the drain straight; it grows toxic when released in any quantity, affecting aquatic life and water treatment plants. For anyone using it as a raw material, the combination of volatility and toxicity means training and equipment stay non-negotiable.
N-Butylamine’s biggest job is in the background: making agricultural chemicals, pharmaceutical ingredients, anti-corrosion agents, and rubber-processing accelerators. Its basic amine structure gives it versatility, helping transform simple precursors into medicines or powerful pesticides. This behind-the-scenes role often goes unnoticed, but losing access would stall whole sections of the manufacturing world. In my work, we saw how quickly interruptions in shipment could bring a supply chain to a crawl—few substitutes step in for such a direct, reliable reagent. Every time an industry relies on a molecule with sharp hazards, the cycle of strict safety, storage, and prompt handling repeats itself, and N-Butylamine stays a stubborn but essential piece of the world’s chemical puzzle.
Full respect for N-Butylamine’s hazards starts with workplace culture. Colleagues who treat each step with care—they know not to cut corners on protective gear or ventilation. Many accidents in the plant or lab happen not because the risks weren’t understood, but because familiarity breeds shortcuts. Equipment maintenance counts for a lot, too: old pumps and leaky seals spell trouble. Emergency spill kits must sit within arm’s reach, and every worker should go through hands-on rehearsal, so panic never sets in if a drum tips or a spill lands. Keeping detailed records, updating safety protocols, and never assuming “everyone knows” the risks, form the backbone of a safe workplace. For communities around factories or labs, strict disposal practices, regular emission checks, and transparent communication build trust in how such chemicals are handled from start to finish.
