Bio-N-Butyl Methacrylate shows up in the chemical world as a modern take on an old classic. While regular n-butyl methacrylate stays rooted in petrochemical origins, producers now source the “Bio” version from renewable feedstocks, cutting down the carbon footprint attached to production. The chemical structure doesn't change: the molecule still carries the formula C8H14O2, and its IUPAC name stands as butyl 2-methylprop-2-enoate. Jumping onto its safety data, the CAS Number for both the conventional and bio-based version remains 97-88-1. The main difference lies in the backstory, not in the barrel. For those interested in importing or exporting, the HS Code usually reads 29161400.
Bio-N-Butyl Methacrylate mostly walks into labs and warehouses as a colorless, clear liquid. Don’t expect to see crystalline powder or flakes—liquid is how it gets handled, though sometimes small quantities solidify at low temperatures. This chemical emits a mild ester-like odor, not sharp enough to drive you out of the room, but strong enough to catch your attention or trigger a quick check to seal drum lids tight. The boiling point hovers around 163°C (325°F), and freezing sits below -70°C, highlighting solid low-temperature stability. Most crucial for handling: density at 20°C lands near 0.89 g/cm³, showing up lighter than water, which floats consequences for spills in mixing tanks or environmental release.
Look closer at its structure: you have a methacrylate group bound to a butyl chain. This gives flexibility and reactivity that polymer manufacturers crave. The double bond on the methacrylate end marks it out as a monomer ready to attach and build into acrylic polymers. It’s this same molecular arrangement that gives the final products—the plastics, coatings, adhesives—their toughness and clarity. Scientists and engineers often remark on the unique mix of stiffness and resilience shown in finished acrylics built from butyl methacrylate, no matter if the source is bio or petroleum.
Industry players expect a minimum purity of 99%, with moisture content usually kept under 0.1%. Residual inhibitors like MEHQ (4-methoxyphenol) appear in small doses, below 20 ppm, to stop unintended polymerization during shipping or storage. Its refractive index stays near 1.423 (at 20°C), helping confirm identity for quality assurance purposes. That density value of 0.89 g/cm³ keeps loading calculations on track for reactors and bulk shipping. Physical forms, as noted, stick to the liquid side. In industrial settings, you won’t spot this chemical as flakes or pearls; it prefers tanks and barrels, not sacks or bins.
This monomer holds a key role as a raw material, feeding into the polymerization tanks of countless plants. You’ll find its fingerprints in pressure-sensitive adhesives—I’ve run product tests where just a few percentage points of butyl methacrylate in the mix changed bond strength and tackiness. Acrylic resins for coatings leans on this monomer to add flexibility and weather resistance. Dental materials use it to produce clear, strong polymers that stand up to daily wear—think of those clear aligners or acrylic fillings. Its presence in inks and textile finishing agents can go unnoticed, but take it out and end-users soon spot the difference.
Bio-N-Butyl Methacrylate lines up with other methacrylate esters in terms of hazards. The vapor irritates eyes, skin, and the respiratory system. I’ve worked with similar monomers in the past and can confirm: a careless approach to ventilation or improper PPE can leave you with a scratching throat or red, irritated skin. The material flashes at about 54°C (129°F), so safe storage stays crucial—keep ignition sources clear, and ground all containers. It’s not classed as outright poisonous, but repeated or high exposures lead to headaches, dizziness, or dermatitis. For environmental health, accidental spills can cause floating slicks, so dikes and absorbents need to be ready at loading docks.
The switch to bio-based production doesn’t drop classic chemical risks, but it does lower environmental impact during manufacturing. Renewable raw materials mean less fossil fuel use, supporting tighter sustainability goals many companies write into their annual reports. But those advantages only hold if transportation and downstream use stick to safe, responsible handling. Any release into waterways or soil spells trouble for local organisms—methacrylate monomers pose a short-term threat to aquatic life, although they break down over weeks in the environment.
From my own experience in chemical supply, cost and scale-up remain real barriers. Bio-based feedstock usually comes at a premium. For end-users, the payoff relies on blending performance with environmental benefits. Ongoing research tackles the tricky step of recycling or reusing acrylic polymers—today’s best options involve mechanical or chemical recycling, but costs and process reliability still dog large-scale uptake. Shifting away from disposable goods and toward materials built for durability, repair, or easy breakdown at end-of-life provides a long road but not an impossible one.
Switching to a bio-based version isn’t just a marketing line. The real-world benefit shows up in lower carbon budgets and, possibly, in positive branding for a company thinking about tomorrow’s regulatory environment. The investment makes sense only if everyone along the supply chain keeps up standard safety, responsible shipping, and open communication from producer to end-user. Chemical innovation rarely happens all at once—a sustainable supply or safer handling protocol comes about step by step. Bio-N-Butyl Methacrylate sits as one corner of a much larger grid connecting raw materials, product design, and environmental responsibility.
