What Is CAS 123-86-4? Uses, Specifications, and Bulk Supply
What Is CAS 123-86-4? Uses, Specifications, and Bulk Supply
CAS 123-86-4 is n-butyl acetate, also commonly called butyl acetate or butyl ethanoate. It is a clear, volatile organic solvent with the molecular formula C6H12O2 and a molecular weight of approximately 116.16 g/mol. I supply n-butyl acetate for industrial buyers who need a solvent for coatings, inks, adhesives, cleaning formulations, and related chemical processes.
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As a manufacturer, supplier, and exporter serving B2B customers, I understand that identifying the CAS number is only the first step. Buyers also need to confirm purity, water content, packaging, shipping requirements, documentation, and reliable batch consistency. This guide explains what CAS 123-86-4 is, where it is used, which specifications matter, and how to evaluate a bulk supplier.
What Is CAS 123-86-4?
CAS 123-86-4 identifies n-butyl acetate, an ester produced from acetic acid and n-butanol. It is a colorless liquid with a characteristic fruity odor, although odor should not be used as a quality-control method. Its useful solvent properties come from its ability to dissolve or dilute many resins, polymers, oils, and coating ingredients while evaporating during application.
N-butyl acetate is classified as a flammable organic liquid, so storage, handling, transportation, and workplace controls must follow the applicable local regulations and the product safety data sheet. Its normal boiling point is approximately 126°C, which gives it a medium evaporation rate compared with very fast solvents. Exact commercial specifications can vary by grade and producer, so I recommend reviewing the current certificate of analysis before approving a purchase.
Core Functions of N-Butyl Acetate
Solvent and Diluent
The primary function of n-butyl acetate is to dissolve, disperse, or dilute selected resins and formulation components. It can help adjust viscosity so that a coating, ink, or adhesive can be applied by spraying, rolling, printing, or other industrial methods. During drying, the solvent evaporates and leaves the non-volatile film-forming materials behind.
Drying and Application Control
N-butyl acetate provides a moderate evaporation profile that can support surface flow and leveling in suitable formulations. The right evaporation balance may help reduce issues such as poor wetting, uneven film formation, or excessively rapid surface drying. However, the actual result depends on resin type, ambient temperature, humidity, film thickness, equipment, and the complete solvent blend.
Process Solvent
In industrial processing, n-butyl acetate can be selected as a solvent or cleaning medium where compatibility with the formulation and evaporation behavior are appropriate. It is not universally compatible with every polymer or active ingredient, so laboratory testing is necessary before scale-up. I help buyers compare the intended use with the available grade and documentation rather than treating the CAS number alone as a complete specification.
Common Application Scenarios
- Paints and coatings: Used as a solvent in automotive, industrial, wood, and general-purpose coating systems.
- Printing inks: Used to adjust viscosity and support application in selected solvent-based ink formulations.
- Adhesives: Used in some solvent-based adhesive systems where resin compatibility and drying behavior are suitable.
- Leather and surface-finishing products: Used in selected formulations for coating, finishing, or processing applications.
- Cleaning and maintenance formulations: Used as a solvent for certain residues, oils, and formulation components, subject to compatibility and safety review.
- Chemical manufacturing: Used as an intermediate process solvent or formulation carrier in applications defined by the end user’s technical process.
The correct grade depends on the application. For example, a coating producer may prioritize color, purity, water content, and evaporation behavior, while a distributor may focus more heavily on packaging integrity, shipment documentation, and batch-to-batch consistency. I recommend testing a representative sample in the final formulation before placing a long-term bulk order.
Types and Material Options
Commercial n-butyl acetate is generally differentiated by purity, impurity profile, water content, packaging, and intended industrial use. Some buyers require a standard industrial grade, while others need tighter control of acidity, color, non-volatile matter, or specific trace impurities. The correct choice should be based on the customer’s formulation requirements and internal acceptance limits.
Buyers may also compare n-butyl acetate with related esters such as ethyl acetate, butyl acetate isobutyl variants, or amyl acetate. These materials are not interchangeable in every system because they differ in volatility, solvency, odor, and formulation behavior. I can help organize a technical comparison, but the final selection should be confirmed through compatibility and application testing.
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Key Specifications Buyers Should Check
| Specification Item | Why It Matters | Buyer Action |
|---|---|---|
| CAS number and chemical name | Confirms product identity and supports purchasing, regulatory, and logistics review. | Verify that the documents state CAS 123-86-4 and n-butyl acetate. |
| Purity or assay | Indicates the concentration of the target solvent and helps control formulation consistency. | Compare the supplier specification with your internal requirement. |
| Water content | Excess moisture can affect coating appearance, resin compatibility, and process stability. | Request the stated method, limit, and recent batch result. |
| Color and acidity | These properties can influence product appearance and sensitive formulation systems. | Confirm acceptable limits before bulk approval. |
| Packaging and transport | N-butyl acetate is flammable and requires suitable containers and handling procedures. | Review the safety data sheet and shipment plan. |
A supplier’s certificate of analysis should correspond to the shipped batch, not only to a general product brochure. Depending on the commercial grade, typical documentation may include the certificate of analysis, safety data sheet, technical data sheet, packing list, commercial invoice, and transport-related documents. I provide documentation according to the agreed product, destination, and transaction requirements.
How to Select CAS 123-86-4 for Your Business
1. Define the End Use
First, I ask whether the material will be used in coatings, inks, adhesives, cleaning products, chemical processing, or another application. This determines which performance characteristics deserve the most attention. It also helps identify whether a standard industrial grade is adequate or whether tighter control is necessary.
2. Set Technical Acceptance Limits
Buyers should define minimum purity, maximum water, color, acidity, non-volatile matter, and any application-specific impurity limits. If the buyer has an existing formulation, a side-by-side trial can reveal whether the proposed material behaves consistently with the current solvent source. Written limits reduce the risk of misunderstanding between the purchaser and supplier.
3. Confirm Packaging and Quantity
Bulk purchasing may involve drums, IBC tanks, or larger approved transport equipment depending on order volume and destination. The suitable option depends on the customer’s storage capacity, consumption rate, unloading equipment, and local dangerous-goods requirements. I recommend confirming net weight, gross weight, container type, palletization, labeling, and loading conditions before order placement.
4. Review Supply and Documentation
Price is important, but it should be evaluated together with batch consistency, lead time, packaging security, document accuracy, and communication quality. A low unit price may not be economical if a shipment arrives late or fails the buyer’s incoming inspection. I work with customers to clarify specifications and commercial terms before production or dispatch.
Bulk Supply and Supplier Support from Yuking
At Yuking, I support B2B buyers seeking CAS 123-86-4 for regular industrial supply or project-based procurement. My role is to help match the requested grade with the application, confirm available packaging, and prepare the commercial and technical documents required for review. Where the customer provides a specification sheet, I can use it as the basis for quotation and product confirmation.
For bulk inquiries, useful information includes the target quantity, destination country or port, preferred packaging, required purity, intended application, expected delivery schedule, and documentation requirements. This information allows me to provide a more practical quotation instead of an incomplete price estimate. Final availability, lead time, freight cost, and commercial terms depend on the order details and current logistics conditions.
Because n-butyl acetate is flammable, safe storage and transportation are essential parts of supplier evaluation. Buyers should ensure that their receiving facilities, operators, containers, ventilation systems, and emergency procedures are suitable for the material. The current safety data sheet and local regulations should always take priority over general online descriptions.
Key Takeaways for Buyers
- CAS 123-86-4 is n-butyl acetate, a volatile ester solvent with the formula C6H12O2.
- Its molecular weight is approximately 116.16 g/mol, and its normal boiling point is approximately 126°C.
- It is commonly considered for coatings, inks, adhesives, cleaning formulations, and industrial processing.
- Purity, water content, color, acidity, documentation, packaging, and shipment controls should be reviewed before bulk purchase.
- Application trials and batch-specific certificates are important because performance depends on the complete formulation and process.
Conclusion: Is CAS 123-86-4 the Right Solvent for You?
CAS 123-86-4 is n-butyl acetate, and it is a widely used industrial solvent for suitable coating, ink, adhesive, cleaning, and chemical-processing applications. Its moderate evaporation profile and solvent capability can support practical formulation and application requirements, but it should not be selected by CAS number alone. The final decision should be based on compatibility testing, documented specifications, safe handling, and supply reliability.
As your Yuking supply partner, I recommend sending your required quantity, destination, packaging preference, technical specification, and application details for review. I can then help confirm the appropriate grade, documentation package, and bulk supply plan. This structured approach gives your purchasing and technical teams a clearer basis for approving CAS 123-86-4.
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