2-Butanol, or sec-butanol, is a chemical compound with formulaC4H10O. This secondary alcohol is a flammable, colorless liquid that is soluble in 12 parts water and completely miscible with polar organic solvent such as ethers and other alcohols.
2-Butanol is chiral and thus can be obtained as either of two stereoisomers designated as (R)-(−)-2-butanol and (S)-(+)-2-butanol. It is normally found as an equal mixture of the two stereoisomers — a racemic mixture.
(R)-(−)-2-butanol
(S)-(+)-2-butanol
Applications
2-Butanol is used as a solvent, as an intermediate in the manufacture of other chemicals (such as butanone), in industrial cleaners, and in paint removers. Many of the volatile esters of 2-butanol have pleasant aromas and are used as perfumes or in artificial flavors.
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