Chemists have long chased after solutions to replace hazardous and non-renewable solvents, both to keep people safe and meet tightening regulations. Butyl butyryl lactate emerged as a player in this scene back when interest grew in “green chemistry” during the 1980s and 90s. This ester’s story kicked off in small research labs, with folks searching for less volatile, more biodegradable alternatives to traditional petrochemical solvents like toluene or acetone. Grants, public pressure, and trade groups hungry for eco-friendly badge marks gave a boost to experiments in fermentation, plant oils, and innovative synthetic routes. Companies in Europe and North America jumped in, chasing greener profiles without driving up production costs or giving up on cleaning power or solvency. These reworked esterification reactions and process tweaks gave us options like butyl butyryl lactate, now dotting the chemical supply chains for lubricants, cleaners, and ink formulations worldwide.
Butyl butyryl lactate is a colorless to light yellow liquid with a mild fruity odor, making it bearable for workers and suited for use in both open and closed industrial systems. What folks like about it is its ability to dissolve polar and non-polar substances, and the fact that it handles high loads without quick evaporation. The molecule holds up in a range of temperatures—and doesn’t break down at the first sign of heat or sunlight. Customers in paint, coatings, and cleaner manufacturing talk about how it clears greasy residues, aids pigment wetting, and reduces stickiness. It’s handy in both oil and water-based systems. Smaller quantities sell to research outfits, but most goes to industrial plants looking to move away from more hazardous products without wrecking their formulations.
Butyl butyryl lactate brings together a low-to-medium boiling point, moderate viscosity, and decent miscibility, landing it a sweet spot among industrial esters. Its molecular formula, C11H20O4, yields a molecular weight in the 216–220 range. The liquid refracts light slightly, giving a shiny look under lamps, and it doesn’t freeze up in typical factory environments. With densities hovering close to water but not quite matching, it floats and mixes in most cleaning tanks and pipetting setups. Its flash point usually falls above 90°C, keeping it below many regulated thresholds for flammability and easing transport headaches. The ester bond, linking lactic acid and butyl butyrate, brings chemical resistance and helps it stay stable over months on warehouse shelves.
Companies shipping this solvent have to spell out its purity, usually above 98% for industrial buyers and sometimes higher in labs watching for impurities. Water content, acid number, and residue after evaporation round out the typical certificate of analysis. Transport labels show the CAS number 541-39-5, UN number if shipping in bulk, and signal words about skin and eye irritation. Labels flag it as a flammable liquid in some countries, even though its flash point pushes it near the border. Hazmat teams know to use gloves and goggles if they’re mopping spills or loading barrels. End users and safety teams read these specs to match it with ventilation setups or to check if it fits into their “green chemical” compliance lists.
Synthesis of butyl butyryl lactate calls for lactic acid or lactate esters as a backbone, then an acid-catalyzed esterification with butyl butyrate or related intermediates. Factories prefer batch reactors where temperature, pressure, and catalyst levels can be dialed in; common practices keep temperatures at 110–140°C and use strong acids or special resins. By tweaking ratios of reactants and carefully removing water as the reaction proceeds, yields climb to meet commercial minimums. Some sites recycle solvents or recover byproducts like butanol, adding to cost savings and environmental performance. The main thing is clean-up: post-synthesis purification—using distillation columns or liquid-liquid extraction—removes remaining acids and water, reporting a clear finished product that matches export standards.
This ester doesn’t just sit still after its first synthesis—researchers react it with acids, bases, and oxidizers to create other derivatives. Alkaline hydrolysis reverts it to its original acid and alcohol parent components: lactic acid, butyric acid, and butanol. More advanced labs, looking for specialty surfactants or tailoring wetting performance, run transesterification reactions to swap out the butyl or butyryl groups. Scientists use mild reduction or oxidation steps, seeking improved water solubility or reactivity for print inks or lubricants that function at low temperatures. And in the world of polymers, this solvent opens doors by acting as a reactive diluent or softener, participating in chain extension or crosslinking reactions to fine-tune flexibility or resistance to harsh conditions.
In chemical catalogs, you’ll spot butyl butyryl lactate under several trade and generic names, including “butyl 2-(butyryloxy)propanoate” and “lactic acid, butyl butyrate ester”. Some European brands carry local trade marks and codes, ensuring a buyer always cross-checks identifiers before making a purchase. In regulatory filings and shipping labels, the CAS registry number remains the go-to—no matter the source.
The solvent’s easy odor and middle-of-the-road volatility don’t let safety managers off the hook. Handling butyl butyryl lactate still means using protective gear, keeping containers tightly closed, and using proper ventilation. Skin and eye contact can trigger mild to moderate irritation, especially if the worker’s exposed for extended periods, so gloves and goggles are basic gear. Industrial hygiene teams watch for accumulations in air, using monitoring equipment and sometimes keeping the chemical under local extraction hoods to limit vapor build-up. Spills get cleaned up with absorbent materials and bagged for hazardous waste if they meet threshold levels. Disposal rules follow regional laws, with a focus on burning or controlled incineration to limit contamination. Workplaces train teams, refresh safety data sheets, and audit processes to make sure accidents stay rare.
Industries turn to butyl butyryl lactate in everything from cleaning fluids to binder dispersions used in coatings. Paint makers appreciate its ability to help dissolve stubborn vehicle residues without eating into pigment or resin performance. The printing industry uses it in specialty inks, where it helps inks spread evenly and dry at predictable rates—critical for high-speed presses. Lubricant makers turn to it in coolants and metalworking fluids for its smooth blending properties and lower environmental load compared to mineral oils. Some agricultural and cleaning formulas include it to cut grease and aid biodegradability. Research teams in plastics and biopolymers use it as a solvent and processing aid, hunting for blends that break free from historical reliance on harsh or slow-to-degrade solvents.
Innovation around butyl butyryl lactate doesn’t stand still, because customers want greener, safer, and more cost-competitive chemicals each year. Academic and commercial labs explore new fermentation pathways that use agricultural byproducts—seeking a sharp cut in carbon footprint and reliance on natural gas or refined petroleum. Enzymatic catalyst technology finds a welcome home here, letting manufacturers loop in milder conditions and cut down acid waste. Process engineers optimize distillation and purification to squeeze every drop of usable product from raw materials. And, because end uses keep diversifying, researchers are always testing new derivatives or blends for performance in coatings, drugs, and even in biodegradable polymers.
Published toxicological studies on butyl butyryl lactate show a generally low acute hazard profile, which means accidental splash or brief inhalation rarely causes harm beyond short-term irritation. Chronic exposure research is catching up, with teams testing for bioaccumulation and breakdown products in industrial users and wastewater streams. Environmental researchers run simulated breakdown studies, measuring impacts on aquatic life and verifying claims about rapid decomposition versus more stubborn, persistent solvents. Hospitals and regulatory labs screen for allergenic responses, reproductive effects, and neurological changes, with regular reviews pushing for safer handling standards and reduced exposures.
In my own time working with formulation chemists, the appetite for greener, safer solvents only grows year by year. If butyl butyryl lactate keeps living up to promises—in cost, availability, and versatility—it will anchor even more eco-label cleaning products and low-VOC coatings. Markets in Asia and Africa, newly ramping up their own green chemistry investments, look set to join the US and Europe in scaling up production and application. Regulators keep pushing for better transparency and data on long-term toxicity, so research budgets keep growing. Technology advances in feedstock recovery, renewable energy integration, and molecular tailoring open the door for continuous performance gains. What matters is keeping workplace safety real, embedding environmental stewardship across the chain, and making sure regulations don’t leave small producers behind. Those who keep a sharp eye on solvent impacts and push for real innovation will keep butyl butyryl lactate on top of future chemical wish lists.
Butyl butyryl lactate isn’t a household name, but chances are it played a role in products you’ve come across. This compound belongs to a newer generation of eco-friendly solvents, often pulled from renewable raw materials. Industries searching for ways to move away from harsh chemicals started to take note of these kinds of solvents about a decade ago.
One of the biggest drivers for butyl butyryl lactate shows up in cleaning products. Janitorial crews in hospitals and schools, folks scrubbing factory equipment, and even people working on cars benefit from solvents that can lift grease and oil without resorting to dangerous fumes. This is where butyl butyryl lactate comes into play. Its ability to cut through oily grime rivals older, harsher chemicals, but it doesn’t have that acrid, lingering smell. Public awareness about the hazards tied to petroleum-based ingredients keeps shifting client preference toward solvents with a softer environmental footprint.
Paint manufacturers always struggle to balance drying time, odor, and finish quality. Too harsh of a solvent and workers need to mask up in a hurry. Butyl butyryl lactate lands in that sweet spot for certain paints and coatings. It helps create smooth finishes, keeps paints spreadable as they come out of the can, and slows evaporation just enough to minimize streaking. Unlike some other options, workers can use it in smaller, less-ventilated spaces—think furniture shops or small-batch wood finishers. Some companies shifted to this solvent as government rules started to clamp down on volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Demand keeps growing for products labeled “green” or “biodegradable,” especially in Europe and North America. Chemical companies trying to meet this demand look to solvents like butyl butyryl lactate. Its base often derives from renewable crops, such as corn or sugar beet fermentation, which feeds into a broader supply chain where sustainability gets measured by the ton. Environmentally-conscious brands are using this to their advantage, advertising both product safety and reduced emissions.
Traditional inks and adhesives went through a reckoning as regulatory agencies started testing runoff and air pollution levels more aggressively. Print shops use butyl butyryl lactate in inks because it helps pigment mix with resin, dries predictably, and doesn’t produce thick clouds of fumes. Label makers and packaging companies rely on this solvent to clean rollers and equipment. It washes off sticky residue better than plain water and doesn’t wreck sensitive machinery.
Switching to this solvent doesn’t solve every problem overnight. Chemical costs run higher than for basic mineral spirits or acetone. Some facilities experience hiccups in supply or need to re-train crews on safety data. There’s also a balance: people want safer work spaces, but not every greener chemical works as well in every recipe. Collaboration between manufacturers, end-users, and environmental health experts helps bridge those gaps. Product testing and published data on long-term exposure guide those decisions.
Research from the ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering journal shows that solvent choices drive much of a product’s overall ecological impact. Butyl butyryl lactate stands out by ticking several boxes: effectiveness, plant-based sources, and lower toxicity levels. As brands and suppliers collect more data and consumers stick with eco-friendly labels, the shift to these alternative solvents looks set to accelerate.
Butyl Butyryl Lactate shows up in ingredient lists on a few cleansers and skin products. It gets credit for making creams feel silkier, helping oil and water blend, and improving spreadability. Brands turn to it for texture tweaks and to keep formulas from feeling greasy or sticky. These may sound like little details, but from the consumer’s side, they make using a lotion or sunscreen more enjoyable.
People trust what they smear on their skin, so safety research cannot feel like guesswork. Ingredient safety gets checked through lab studies, dermatologist testing, and chemical reviews by independent groups. For Butyl Butyryl Lactate, you can find opinions from organizations such as the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel and summaries in databases hosted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or Europe’s SCCS.
The CIR has not published a final safety assessment specific to Butyl Butyryl Lactate so far, unlike better-known cosmetic ingredients. Data from related lactate esters, which have pretty mild safety profiles, provides a starting point. Butyl Butyryl Lactate does not show up on major “restricted substance” or “high hazard” watchlists, and regulators have yet to flag it for allergenic or carcinogenic potential. Limited animal and cell-culture studies don’t suggest significant risks through routine skin exposure at levels found in cosmetics.
Anecdotal experience counts, too. In almost twenty years of personal use and conversations with clients as a skincare consultant, I have not come across widespread reports of irritation or breakouts traced back to this ingredient. Skin reactions always depend on the individual, but Butyl Butyryl Lactate does not raise red flags in communities where ingredient-conscious users swap product reviews.
Consumers expect companies to stay vigilant, especially when introducing unfamiliar ingredients. Transparency from brands has improved. Most reputable companies openly list Butyl Butyryl Lactate on packaging and provide references for their internal safety checks. That makes it easier for people with allergies or sensitive skin to avoid what does not work for them, as well as for dermatologists to spot patterns in rare cases of irritation.
Brand-new or niche ingredients like Butyl Butyryl Lactate highlight a gap that still exists in cosmetic oversight. The United States lets most ingredients enter the market before long-term independent testing. Europe tends to require more upfront proof, but enforcement can be slow. That means everyday people play watchdog until a problem grabs regulators’ attention.
The most effective solution starts with pressure for full ingredient transparency. Manufacturers step up safety testing and publish results, not legal boilerplate about “industry standard safety.” Retailers keep pulling questionable products from shelves as soon as credible worries surface. Consumers continue asking for shorter ingredient lists and science-based product recommendations.
Even with an ingredient like Butyl Butyryl Lactate that seems pretty benign for most, patch testing is a smart move for sensitive skin types. Stick to official guidance and trusted brands with a track record for honest labeling. Skincare is personal. What glides on smooth for one person might stay sticky or stings for someone else.
Butyl Butyryl Lactate brings together characteristics from both esters and lactates, shaping how it interacts in practical situations. Each molecule contains segments from butyl, butyryl, and lactic acid—these building blocks create a compound with a flexible structure. In labs, I noticed that esters like this tend to show noticeable solubility in a variety of organic solvents. This makes them useful in fields where easy blending with other chemical agents is needed.
Its moderate molecular weight keeps the liquid from getting sticky or viscous, which I found important during mixing and processing. Butyl Butyryl Lactate remains mostly clear and colorless, showing high purity when properly prepared. Its boiling point often lands in a middle range, giving it enough volatility for easy removal after reactions while also staying stable under regular handling conditions. This balance works well for folks who want to keep lab processes straightforward, with fewer surprises or breakdowns caused by heating or mixing.
The ester linkages in Butyl Butyryl Lactate show a tendency toward hydrolysis—meaning, they can break apart in water, especially under acidic or basic conditions. During a project on biodegradable cleaners, I noticed how these breaks happened more quickly when either heat or strong pH changes entered the equation. Supporting this, research published in the Journal of Surfactants and Detergents highlights how lactate-based esters tend to degrade into less harmful byproducts, which can offer environmental perks if disposal and runoff stay controlled.
Its mild, slightly sweet odor comes from the ester component, signaling the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Even though VOCs like this don’t rise to the top of toxicity charts, it pays to handle them in well-ventilated spaces. People sensitive to fragrances or solvents may notice irritation, so providing protective gear and air flow in production spaces reduces these risks. Mishandling can lead to spills, and in my own lab experience, the slickness of these liquids increased the odds of accidents unless surfaces stayed clean and dry.
Butyl Butyryl Lactate doesn’t ignite easily, but the potential for fire exists if vapors collect near open flames. Comparing it to similar esters, I saw that their flashpoints land above room temperature—helpful, but not foolproof. Smart storage in tightly sealed containers helps avoid accidental releases and keeps the product usable longer.
Because esters like Butyl Butyryl Lactate can react with strong acids or bases—breaking down or changing character—products made with them need thoughtful packaging and labeling. No one wants a chemical that changes before it reaches its destination. In applications touching food or skin, confirming that no toxic byproducts linger ranks as top priority. Confirming purity through batch testing follows good manufacturing practice, both protecting users and meeting legal standards.
Switching to less toxic solvents, like Butyl Butyryl Lactate, helps shrink environmental impact. Many companies look at alternatives with fast breakdown times and low persistence in soil or water, keeping local ecosystems healthier. That’s one reason demand for “greener” esters keeps growing. For those working with or disposing of this compound, connecting with local waste management and recycling programs keeps compliance easy and keeps risks low.
Staying curious about how these chemicals behave in real-world conditions helps people pick the right solutions for cleaning, coatings, and other daily products. In my own practice, I’ve found that asking direct questions about safety, shelf life, and end-of-life handling has always paid off at every stage, from purchase to disposal.
A lot of folks working in labs or production lines take chemical storage for granted. It seems simple enough. Put it on a shelf, label it, and move on. Yet with chemicals like butyl butyryl lactate, those habits can cost real money and even cause real danger. I’ve seen what happens when chemical storage is an afterthought. Containers start leaking, strange odors fill the air, or expensive product goes bad before anyone even gets to use it. In this case, a little extra care keeps people safer and preserves the quality long-term.
Butyl butyryl lactate isn’t as well known as acetone or methanol, but it still carries risks you’d expect from organic solvents. Its low flash point and volatility mean fire hazards show up fast when people get lax about storage. It draws water from the air and can break down if it sits out too long. When chemical breakdown starts, performance changes, byproducts form, and equipment gets gunked up. Spoiled solvent also means lab results turn inconsistent—something no scientist or process engineer wants.
A cool, dry spot makes all the difference here. Leaving this chemical in direct sunlight on a shelf, or near a heat vent, shortens its life and boosts fire risk. Temperature swings mess with the container and with the liquid inside. Top industry references recommend storage under 25 degrees Celsius. This lines up with what I’ve seen on a daily basis: chemicals kept cool don’t break down so fast, don’t pressure the container, and stay true to their intended function. Good ventilation also stops vapors from building up to dangerous levels in case of a leak or spill. An old fume hood or a well-ventilated storage cabinet goes a long way toward keeping everyone safe.
Open containers spell trouble. Butyl butyryl lactate grabs moisture out of the air, and that ruins both purity and performance. After opening, always make sure the cap seals tight and check it again before putting the bottle back. I’ve watched careless storage lead to wasted product and angry managers more than once. Containers should come from chemically resistant plastics or glass, not just any jar or bottle sitting around. Cheap plastics can crack or react with solvents. Spend the little extra on quality containers in the beginning and save headaches down the road.
Often, people pile everything together because the cabinet looks empty. Mixing solvents with acids or oxidizers has landed more than one plant on the front page for the wrong reasons. Fires or toxic fumes can start because two bottles touched off an accidental reaction. Store butyl butyryl lactate with other compatible organic solvents, not next to peroxide formers or strong bases. OSHA and NFPA guidelines exist for a reason—these rules got written after real disasters.
I’ve seen seasoned techs forget which bottle holds what, especially after long shifts. Good labeling saves time and keeps bad mistakes from happening. Use labels that won’t smear or fade if they get wet. Mark the date of receipt and opening, and rotate older containers forward. There’s no shame in a quick double-check before pouring or measuring—better safe than sorry every time.
Storing this solvent isn’t about ticking boxes on a safety checklist. It’s about preserving every drop so it does its job as intended, reducing waste, and keeping accidents far away. With common sense steps—temperature control, proper sealing, clear labeling, and attention to chemical compatibility—anyone can handle butyl butyryl lactate safely, even in a busy workplace.
Butyl butyryl lactate comes from lactic acid, a compound found in plants. Manufacturers use it as a solvent, especially in paints, coatings, and cleaning agents. The push to find alternatives to traditional petrochemical solvents has brought newer esters like this one into the spotlight. Its plant-based source offers a sense of comfort for anyone looking to tread lighter on the planet.
The big question is whether butyl butyryl lactate breaks down easily once it enters the environment. Scientific studies show that compounds derived from lactic acid, such as this ester, tend to be more biodegradable than petroleum-based options. Enzymes from bacteria and fungi help digest these molecules. The breakdown usually happens under conditions commonly found in soil and water. For years, I’ve kept an eye on reports about biodegradable solvents because safer cleanup makes everyone’s job easier. In most published tests, lactic acid derivatives show significant degradation within weeks. It’s reasonable to expect that butyl butyryl lactate behaves much the same way.
It’s worth mentioning that not every “biodegradable” substance breaks down quickly or completely. Local conditions matter. Low temperatures or limited microbial activity can slow things down. Still, the clear trend is that esters like this do not linger for decades, unlike older solvents such as toluene or xylene.
One aspect often missed in the sustainability conversation is toxicity. A solvent could disappear fast in nature, but if it harms wildlife or contaminates water, the gains shrink. Industry data point to butyl butyryl lactate having low aquatic toxicity compared to older alternatives. No system is perfect, but the shift away from heavy metals and chlorinated compounds represents progress. Paintshop operators and manufacturers want products that don’t put their staff or neighborhoods at risk. Cleaner safety sheets and less complicated disposal mean the world to small businesses keeping an eye on operating costs.
Sourcing plant-based ingredients sounds attractive. Yet, it raises issues about where those resources come from. Lactic acid usually starts with sugar, often corn or sugarcane. Monoculture farming for feedstocks can pressure local ecosystems. Shifting to rotational crops or using agricultural waste helps, but shortcuts occasionally slip through. Anyone selling “green” solvents owes their buyers honesty about sourcing. The best distributors provide supply chain details and independent certifications.
More transparency benefits everyone. Labels need to state both the raw material origin and extent of biodegradability under different conditions. Producers can support responsible agriculture by seeking suppliers who use non-GMO and low-impact practices. Regulators must establish standards for solvents labeled “biodegradable” to prevent greenwashing. If industries set up collection and recovery systems, accidental spills or leaks stop turning into environmental headaches.
I’ve watched the industry over-promise before—especially on “eco-friendly” tags. Based on present evidence, butyl butyryl lactate does offer genuine advances for many users wanting a safer, cleaner solvent. Still, good environmental stewardship includes careful sourcing, honest claims, and ongoing testing to make sure today’s solutions don’t create tomorrow’s problems. That’s the only way to ensure that new chemicals earn their place as real improvements, not just clever branding.
| Names | |
| Preferred IUPAC name | 3-Butoxy-2-butoxy-2-oxoethyl butanoate |
| Other names |
Butyl 2-(butyryloxy)propanoate Butyric acid butyl lactate Butyl butyroyl lactate |
| Pronunciation | /ˈbjuːtɪl ˈbjuːtɪr.ɪl ˈlæk.teɪt/ |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | 5445-23-4 |
| Beilstein Reference | Beilstein 906101 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:89540 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL2173603 |
| ChemSpider | 2285256 |
| DrugBank | DB14684 |
| ECHA InfoCard | ECHA InfoCard: 100000161244 |
| EC Number | “931-020-9” |
| Gmelin Reference | 1621731 |
| KEGG | C18637 |
| MeSH | C0162632 |
| PubChem CID | 11724845 |
| RTECS number | OJ8750000 |
| UNII | G819A49S3S |
| UN number | UN3272 |
| CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | DTXSID8036277 |
| Properties | |
| Chemical formula | C11H20O4 |
| Molar mass | 232.31 g/mol |
| Appearance | Colorless to light yellow transparent liquid |
| Odor | Sweet fruity |
| Density | 0.975 g/cm3 |
| Solubility in water | Insoluble |
| log P | 0.94 |
| Vapor pressure | 0.02 mmHg at 25 °C |
| Acidity (pKa) | pKa ≈ 16 |
| Basicity (pKb) | 12.77 |
| Refractive index (nD) | 1.434 |
| Viscosity | 15 mPa·s |
| Dipole moment | 2.97 D |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std molar entropy (S⦵298) | 572.6 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ |
| Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298) | -870.5 kJ/mol |
| Std enthalpy of combustion (ΔcH⦵298) | -4072.8 kJ/mol |
| Pharmacology | |
| ATC code | A16AX11 |
| Hazards | |
| GHS labelling | GHS02, GHS07 |
| Pictograms | GHS02,GHS07 |
| Signal word | Warning |
| Hazard statements | H315: Causes skin irritation. H319: Causes serious eye irritation. |
| Precautionary statements | Precautionary statements: "P261, P264, P271, P272, P273, P280, P302+P352, P305+P351+P338, P312, P321, P332+P313, P337+P313, P362+P364, P501 |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | 1-2-0 |
| Flash point | 109°C |
| Autoignition temperature | 245°C |
| Explosive limits | Explosive limits: 0.6% (LEL) - 9.5% (UEL) |
| Lethal dose or concentration | LD50 (oral, rat): 4100 mg/kg |
| LD50 (median dose) | LD50 (median dose): 3200 mg/kg (rat, oral) |
| NIOSH | NA4550000 |
| PEL (Permissible) | PEL (Permissible) for Butyl Butyryl Lactate: Not established |
| REL (Recommended) | 2000 mg/L |
| IDLH (Immediate danger) | Not established |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds |
Ethyl lactate Butyl lactate Butyl butyrate Butyric acid Lactic acid |
