CAS 123-86-4 (n-Butyl Acetate): Uses, Specifications, and B2B Buying Guide

18, Aug. 2026

 

CAS 123-86-4 (n-Butyl Acetate): Uses, Specifications, and B2B Buying Guide

CAS 123-86-4 is n-butyl acetate, also written as butyl ethanoate. It is a colorless, flammable liquid solvent with a characteristic fruity odor, widely used in coatings, inks, adhesives, cleaning formulations, and chemical processing. For B2B purchasing, I recommend evaluating not only price, but also purity, water content, packaging, regulatory documentation, transport classification, and supply consistency. The right grade depends on the formulation, production process, destination market, and required quality controls.

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This guide explains the basic properties of n-butyl acetate, common application matches, important specifications, and practical supplier evaluation steps. I also outline how buyers can compare quotations, manage lead-time risk, and request the documentation needed for safe and consistent industrial use.

Who This Guide Is For

I have prepared this guide for procurement managers, formulation chemists, importers, distributors, and production teams that purchase CAS 123-86-4 in commercial quantities. It is particularly relevant to buyers sourcing solvent for paints, coatings, printing inks, leather products, adhesives, and industrial cleaning applications. It can also help new buyers understand which questions to ask before requesting a quotation.

The information is intended for preliminary sourcing and product evaluation. Final approval should always be based on the supplier’s current specification sheet, safety data sheet, certificate of analysis, local regulations, and the buyer’s own application testing.

What Is CAS 123-86-4?

CAS 123-86-4 identifies n-butyl acetate, an ester produced from acetic acid and n-butanol. Its molecular formula is C6H12O2, and its molecular weight is approximately 116.16 g/mol. In practical manufacturing, its value comes from its ability to dissolve or help carry many resin systems while evaporating at a useful rate.

n-Butyl acetate is commonly selected when a formulation needs a medium-evaporation organic solvent with good solvency for selected coatings and adhesive ingredients. Its boiling point is approximately 126°C at standard atmospheric pressure, although buyers should confirm the exact reference conditions and specification used by each supplier. Because it is flammable, storage, handling, ventilation, and transportation must be managed according to applicable regulations.

Common Uses and Application Matching

Paints and Coatings

In solvent-based paints and coatings, n-butyl acetate can act as a primary solvent or co-solvent for certain resins, pigments, and additives. Its evaporation behavior may help balance surface flow, drying time, and film appearance, but the final result depends on the complete solvent blend and resin chemistry. I recommend laboratory testing because the same solvent can behave differently in automotive, industrial, wood, or general-purpose coatings.

Printing Inks

CAS 123-86-4 is used in some solvent-based printing ink systems where resin compatibility and controlled evaporation are required. Buyers should examine print speed, substrate type, drying equipment, odor requirements, and residual-solvent limits before selecting the grade. A lower water content may be important for processes that are sensitive to moisture or ink stability.

Adhesives and Chemical Processing

Some adhesive formulations use n-butyl acetate to dissolve resin components or adjust application viscosity. It may also be used as a process solvent in chemical manufacturing, subject to compatibility and recovery requirements. The buyer should confirm whether the material will remain in the finished product, be evaporated during processing, or be recovered for reuse.

Cleaning and Surface Preparation

Industrial users may consider n-butyl acetate for cleaning selected equipment, tools, or surfaces when its solvency is compatible with the contaminant and substrate. It should not be assumed to be suitable for every plastic, elastomer, coating, or seal. A small-scale compatibility test is a practical way to reduce damage and rework risk.

Types, Grades, and Material Options

In B2B sourcing, “n-butyl acetate” does not always describe one identical commercial product. Suppliers may offer different grades based on purity, impurity profile, water content, color, acidity, residue after evaporation, and packaging configuration. Some buyers need a general industrial grade, while others require a tighter specification for coatings, inks, electronics-related processes, or export applications.

I advise buyers to avoid selecting a grade solely by the product name. Instead, compare the full specification and the certificate of analysis for the actual batch. If the application is sensitive, request a sample or trial quantity before approving a larger shipment.

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Key Specifications Buyers Should Review

Specification Area Why It Matters Buyer Action
Assay or purity Influences solvency, formulation consistency, and impurity control. Request the guaranteed range and batch test result.
Water content Excess moisture may affect resin compatibility, drying, or product stability. Confirm the test method and maximum value.
Color and appearance Important for light-colored coatings, inks, and visible finished products. Review the agreed limit and inspection method.
Acidity and residue Can affect formulation stability, equipment cleanliness, or downstream reactions. Request limits suitable for the intended process.
Packaging and labeling Protects product integrity and supports safe handling during transport. Confirm container type, net weight, labels, and palletization.

A typical reference point for n-butyl acetate is its approximate flash point near 22°C, but the reported value can vary according to the test method and regulatory system. This value should be treated as a safety planning indicator rather than a substitute for the current SDS. Before shipment, I recommend confirming the applicable transport classification, storage temperature guidance, ventilation requirements, and emergency procedures.

How to Select the Right Product

Step 1: Define the End Use

Start by describing the application rather than asking only for the lowest price. State whether the solvent will be used in coatings, ink, adhesive, cleaning, extraction, or another process. Also provide information about the resin system, mixing conditions, drying requirements, and any restrictions on odor, emissions, or residual solvent.

Step 2: Set the Required Quality Level

Next, identify the properties that directly affect your process. For many buyers, these may include assay, water, color, acidity, non-volatile residue, and specific impurity limits. If you do not yet have an internal specification, I can help organize a comparison based on your formulation requirements, but the final acceptance limits should be approved by your technical team.

Step 3: Check Documentation

Request a current technical data sheet, safety data sheet, certificate of analysis, packing details, and country-of-origin information where relevant. For regulated markets, confirm that the documents are available in the required language and format. Documentation should correspond to the product being quoted, not merely to a similar solvent from the same chemical family.

Step 4: Validate Packaging and Logistics

Packaging may include drums, IBCs, or other approved containers depending on order size and transport conditions. The selected package should be compatible with the chemical, sealed properly, clearly labeled, and suitable for the planned route. Because n-butyl acetate is flammable, buyers should also review warehouse conditions and unloading procedures before confirming the order.

Pricing, MOQ, and Lead-Time Considerations

The quoted price for CAS 123-86-4 can change with raw material markets, order volume, packaging, destination, freight conditions, insurance, payment terms, and documentation requirements. A lower unit price may not represent a lower total cost if the shipment requires special handling, repacking, or additional testing. For a fair comparison, I suggest asking suppliers to quote on the same Incoterm, package size, quantity, and validity period.

Minimum order quantity is often influenced by the selected package and shipping method. Smaller trial orders may carry a higher cost per kilogram, while larger orders can improve freight efficiency but increase inventory exposure. Lead time should be confirmed in writing and separated into production time, documentation time, and transportation time, because these stages can create different delays.

Supplier Evaluation Checklist

  • Can the supplier provide a consistent specification for every commercial batch?
  • Are the SDS, technical data sheet, and certificate of analysis current and aligned with the quoted product?
  • Can the supplier explain available grades, packaging options, and recommended storage conditions?
  • Does the quotation clearly state purity, quantity, Incoterm, payment terms, and delivery schedule?
  • Can the supplier support sample evaluation or a first-order quality review?
  • Is there a clear process for handling transport damage, quality claims, or documentation discrepancies?

When I evaluate a supplier, I consider technical communication as part of supply capability. A supplier that responds clearly to specification, packaging, and logistics questions can help reduce avoidable purchasing risk. However, buyers should still conduct their own qualification and should not rely on general marketing claims in place of documented product information.

How Yuking Can Support Your Sourcing Process

At Yuking, I approach CAS 123-86-4 sourcing from both a commercial and technical perspective. I can help organize your requirements around application, purity, packaging, destination, order quantity, and required documents. This allows the quotation to be based on a defined purchasing brief rather than an incomplete product name.

For an initial inquiry, please provide the intended application, target quantity, preferred package, destination port or country, required delivery window, and any internal specification you already use. I can then help clarify suitable product options, documentation needs, and the information required for a meaningful comparison. Final product approval should remain with your quality and technical departments after reviewing the supplier documents and, where necessary, testing a sample.

Summary Insight

CAS 123-86-4 is n-butyl acetate, a widely used industrial solvent for selected coatings, inks, adhesives, cleaning formulations, and chemical processes. The most important buying factors are not only price and purity, but also water content, impurity limits, packaging integrity, safety documentation, transport planning, and supply consistency. Its approximate molecular weight is 116.16 g/mol, its boiling point is about 126°C, and its flash point is near 22°C; each value should be confirmed against the supplier’s current technical and safety documents.

My recommended next step is to prepare a product brief that states your application, required specification, quantity, packaging, destination, and delivery target. Send that brief to Yuking for a structured quotation and document review. After comparing the technical and commercial details, conduct a sample or batch approval process before moving to regular purchasing.

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