Butyl acrylate is an organic compound with the formula C4H9O2CCH=CH2. A colorless liquid, it is the butyl ester of acrylic acid. It is used commercially on a large scale as a precursor to poly(butyl acrylate). Especially as copolymers, such materials are used in paints, sealants, coatings, adhesives, fuel, textiles, plastics, and caulk.[4]
Production and properties
Butyl acrylate can be produced by the acid-catalyzed esterification of acrylic acid with butanol. It polymerizes easily, therefore commercial preparations contain polymerization inhibitors such as hydroquinone, phenothiazine, or hydroquinone ethyl ether.[3][4]
Safety
Butyl acrylate is of low acute toxicity with an LD50 (rat) of 3143 mg/kg.[4]
Exposure can occur through inhalation, skin and/or eye contact absorption, and ingestion.[8] Symptoms may be dependent on exposure route, with skin and eye contact manifesting in redness, pain, and sensitivity; inhalation resulting in burning sensations, cough, shortness of breath, and sore throat; and ingestion resulting in abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.[8]
^Zondlo Fiume M (2002). "Final report on the safety assessment of Acrylates Copolymer and 33 related cosmetic ingredients". Int. J. Toxicol. 21 Suppl 3: 1–50. doi:10.1080/10915810290169800. PMID12537929.