N-Butyl glycidyl ether explained

n-Butyl glycidyl ether is an industrial chemical used in adhesives, sealants, and as a paint or coating additive. It is principally used to reduce the viscosity of epoxy resin systems.^[1]

Synthesis

n-Butyl alcohol and epichlorohydrin react in a condensation reaction to form a halohydrin. This is followed by a caustic dehydrochlorination, to form n-butyl glycidyl ether.

Metabolism

n-Butyl glycidyl ether is metabolized renally to butoxyacetic acid, 3-butoxy-2-hydroxypropionic acid and 3-butoxy-2-acetylaminopropionic acid.^[2]

Safety

Exposure to n-butyl glycidyl ether through inhalation, eye contact, or skin exposure can cause a cough, sore throat, eye and skin redness, and pain. It is flammable and reacts with strong oxidants, strong bases, strong acids, and amines.

Uses

As an Epoxy modifier it is classed as an epoxy Reactive diluent. It is also used to synthesize other molecules.^[3] The use of the diluent does effect mechanical properties and microstructure of epoxy resins.^[4] ^[5] It has been used to simultaneously increase cryogenic strength, ductility and impact resistance of epoxy resins.^[6]

References

Jagtap . Ameya Rajendra . More . Aarti . 2022-08-01 . Developments in reactive diluents: a review . Polymer Bulletin . en . 79 . 8 . 5667–5708 . 10.1007/s00289-021-03808-5 . 235678040 . 1436-2449.
4049898. 1985. Eadsforth. C. V.. The metabolism of n-butyl glycidyl ether in the rat and rabbit. Xenobiotica. 15. 7. 579–89. Hutson. D. H.. Logan. C. J.. Morrison. B. J.. 10.3109/00498258509045887.
Urata . Kouichi . Takaishi . Naotake . September 1994 . The alkyl glycidyl ether as synthetic building blocks . Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society . en . 71 . 9 . 1027–1033 . 10.1007/BF02542274. 96776835 .
Pastarnokienė . Liepa . Jonikaitė-Švėgždienė . Jūratė . Lapinskaitė . Neringa . Kulbokaitė . Rūta . Bočkuvienė . Alma . Kochanė . Tatjana . Makuška . Ričardas . 2023-07-01 . The effect of reactive diluents on curing of epoxy resins and properties of the cured epoxy coatings . Journal of Coatings Technology and Research . en . 20 . 4 . 1207–1221 . 10.1007/s11998-022-00737-4 . 256749849 . 1935-3804.
Khalina . Morteza . Beheshty . Mohammad Hosain . Salimi . Ali . 2019-08-01 . The effect of reactive diluent on mechanical properties and microstructure of epoxy resins . Polymer Bulletin . en . 76 . 8 . 3905–3927 . 10.1007/s00289-018-2577-6 . 105389177 . 1436-2449.
Chen . Zhen-Kun . Yang . Guo . Yang . Jiao-Ping . Fu . Shao-Yun . Ye . Lin . Huang . Yong-Gang . 2009-02-23 . Simultaneously increasing cryogenic strength, ductility and impact resistance of epoxy resins modified by n-butyl glycidyl ether . Polymer . en . 50 . 5 . 1316–1323 . 10.1016/j.polymer.2008.12.048 . 0032-3861.