1-Butylpyrrolidine: More Than Just a Chemical Name

What Is 1-Butylpyrrolidine?

The name 1-Butylpyrrolidine signals more than just a mouthful of syllables—it identifies a substance with real, hands-on practical uses, particularly in labs and chemical plants. In broad strokes, think of 1-Butylpyrrolidine as an organic compound rooted in the pyrrolidine family but with a butyl group hanging off the first carbon. It doesn’t get much simpler than C8H17N for the molecular formula, showing eight carbons, seventeen hydrogens, and one nitrogen arranged in a compact structure. This small tweak in the group unlocks properties that get chemists interested when searching for solvents or building blocks in more complex chemistry. You’ll spot it under the HS Code 2933.39, which makes shipping and importing easier to keep track of.

Physical Properties and Formats

1-Butylpyrrolidine appears as a colorless to pale yellow liquid under room temperature. Sometimes, depending on storage or temperature, there might be traces of crystal formation, but you won’t see it as flakes, pearls, powder, or solid bits without deliberate processing. At a glance, the density hovers right around 0.83 g/cm³. The boiling range falls close to 180–200°C, so it doesn’t catch fire with a little bit of heat, but flames can still be a problem if you don’t respect handling guidelines. Its distinct amine odor can remind you of other pyrrolidine-based molecules, making it unmistakable in a lab. Oils and other nonpolar solvents mix in well, while water finds it less approachable—so expect moderate solubility but quick dispersion in organic systems.

Chemical Behavior and Structure

Zooming in on the molecule, 1-Butylpyrrolidine puts a five-membered ring together with that butyl side chain on carbon one. That nitrogen atom? It doesn’t just sit there—it gives the compound a basic character, helping it snatch up protons if acids come around. This makes it useful in organic synthesis, where basicity plays a role in shifting hydrogen atoms or breaking up molecules cleanly. Chemically, it adds stability to reactions needing an amine, doesn’t break apart easily with most lab acids, and rarely reacts with metals—showing it can handle rough company without decomposing. You won't see it turning into flakes, pearls, powder, or crystals as its typical material state, unlike some other chemicals that shift dramatically between forms.

Practical Uses and Specifications

Industries latch onto 1-Butylpyrrolidine as a versatile raw material. At the bench, chemists draw on it as a base for catalyzing reactions, especially where protection of more fragile groups is critical. Its relatively low odor and manageable vapor pressure make it attractive for solvents or intermediates in drug research. Purity levels matter—a batch sitting around 98% or higher purity by gas chromatography gets the green light for most sensitive work, while anything less might bring unwanted byproducts. Standard packaging runs from liters in sealed drums to lab-scale bottles because moisture, sunlight, and air all take their toll by oxidizing or breaking down the product over time.

Handling, Safety, and Hazards

Safety conversations around 1-Butylpyrrolidine cannot be ignored. There’s low acute toxicity by oral or dermal routes, yet it isn’t a substance anyone should splash around or inhale. The skin tingles and may redden with contact, so gloves and a lab coat are non-negotiable. Splatters in the eyes sting, and inhalation can lead to lasting throat or airway irritation. Spilled material should always be soaked up with inert absorbent—think sand or special chemical pads—because flushing it into drains will usually spark environmental flags during inspections. Proper air extraction, sealed storage under nitrogen, and chemical-resistant containers keep incidents at bay. It isn’t broadly considered flammable, but enough heat source or open flame turns spill-prone liquid into a fire hazard. For transport, the right paperwork under the HS Code and UN identification number avoids customs headaches and mishaps across borders, showing how bureaucratic steps play a safety role, too.

Raw Material Sourcing and Market Considerations

Accessing quality 1-Butylpyrrolidine gets trickier depending on the supply chain. Not every supplier maintains the production standards needed for sensitive pharmaceutical or specialty applications. Solid documentation around batch purity, water content, and residual solvents is a must for any responsible buyer. The push for greener and safer chemicals worldwide also puts a spotlight on how each drum gets made, stored, and shipped, so regulations keep shifting. In terms of raw material inputs, pyrrolidine and butyl bromide play starring roles in most commercial syntheses. These upstream factors ripple down the line—if shortages hit one cornerstone reagent, finished supply tightens, and prices can swing without warning.