Butyraldehyde, also known as butanal, is an organic compound with the formula CH3(CH2)2CHO. This compound is the aldehyde derivative of butane. It is a colourless flammable liquid with an unpleasant smell. It is miscible with most organic solvents.

Uses

Butanal is used in the manufacture of rubber accelerators, synthetic resins, solvents, and plasticizers. n-Butyraldehyde is used as an intermediate in the manufacturing of plasticizers, alcohols, solvents, and polymers (such as 2-ethylhexanol, n-butanol, trimethylolpropane, n-butyric acid, polyvinyl butyral, and methyl amyl ketone). It is also used as an intermediate to make pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, antioxidants, rubber accelerators, textile auxiliaries, perfumery, and flavors. It has no therapeutic use at the present time.

Environmental Fate

The primary degradation process in soil is expected to be biodegradation. A number of biological screening studies have demonstrated that butyraldehyde is readily biodegradable.

The major environmental fate processes for butyraldehyde in water are biodegradation and volatilization. A number of biological screening studies have demonstrated that butyraldehyde is readily biodegradable. Volatilization half-lives of 9 h and 4.1 days have been estimated for a model river (1-m deep) and a model pond, respectively. Aquatic hydrolysis, adsorption to sediment, and bioconcentration are not expected to be important fate processes.

Mechanism of Toxicity 

Butanal does not possess high acute toxicity but is a potent irritant of the skin, eyes, and upper respiratory tract. The mechanism of toxicity probably involves direct reaction between the active aldehyde group and cellular components.