Oxygenated Solvents · Chemical Intermediates · European B2B Sourcing
SBA is primarily used as a chemical intermediate (notably for MEK production via dehydrogenation), with additional use in surfactant chemistry and as a solvent in selected formulations. CAS 78-92-2, EC 201-158-5. Indicative purity ~98.8 wt% minimum, water content typically ≤0.2 wt%, density at 15°C ~810 kg/m³.
SBA carries a notably milder regulatory profile than IPA: classified Flam. Liq. 3 (signal word Warning), packing group III, flash point ~24°C. Compared to IPA (Flam. Liq. 2, signal word Danger, flash point ~12°C), SBA can simplify site receiving, storage and transport documentation.
Specification, pricing and availability are indicative and subject to confirmation at the time of enquiry. Industrial and B2B enquiries only.
Send an SBA enquiryProduct overview
SBA is not primarily a solvent. The largest single global use is as a feedstock for MEK production via catalytic dehydrogenation. Buyers approaching SBA as “just another oxygenated solvent like IPA” typically miss the actual market structure.
Secondary butyl alcohol (SBA, butan-2-ol, sec-butanol, CAS 78-92-2) is a four-carbon aliphatic alcohol with a chiral centre. It boils at ~98–103°C and is partially miscible with water. The molecule is the precursor to MEK (methyl ethyl ketone, butan-2-one), and many commercial SBA volumes worldwide are routed directly to MEK plants for catalytic dehydrogenation. Outside that pathway, SBA finds use in surfactant chemistry, coating intermediates, and specialty solvent applications.
At industrial grade, SBA is specified primarily by purity (by GC), water content, density and acidity. The standard sales specification used as reference for this page targets ~98.8 wt% minimum purity, ~≤0.2 wt% water content, density at 15°C ~809.5–811.5 kg/m³, and acidity ~≤0.002 wt% as acetic acid.
For regulatory positioning: SBA is classified Flam. Liq. 3 (H226), Eye Irrit. 2 (H319), and STOT SE 3 (H335 + H336). Signal word: Warning. Transport: UN1120 BUTANOLS, class 3, packing group III. See also the flash point vs boiling range guide for context on solvent handling classification.
Why source vs end use matters
MEK route is the volume driver
The largest commercial SBA volumes globally are dedicated to MEK production. This means SBA spot availability and pricing are linked to MEK demand cycles. For buyers sourcing SBA as a finished product, market timing matters more than for IPA or ethyl acetate.
Purity by GC, water, density
The three core specification parameters. Industrial grade typically targets ~98.8 wt% min purity, ~0.2 wt% max water, density at 15°C ~810 kg/m³. Tight ranges on density indicate consistent isomer purity (no t-butanol or n-butanol cross-contamination).
Acidity and colour
Low acidity (~≤0.002 wt% as acetic acid) and platinum-cobalt colour ~≤10 are important where SBA is used as intermediate in surfactant or coating synthesis, where carry-through impurities affect downstream product quality.
Source consistency
For surfactant or chemical-intermediate use, source consistency and documentation continuity (CoA per batch, TDS, SDS) typically matter as much as the headline purity figure. These points are best clarified at the start of the commercial discussion.
Indicative specification
All values are indicative and based on typical sales specification data for industrial grade SBA. Actual specification is subject to production batch, origin and supply route, and is confirmed only at the time of quotation. All numeric values are prefixed with ~ to reflect their indicative nature. This data is provided for orientation purposes only and does not constitute a guarantee or warranty of any kind.
| Property | Units | Indicative value | Test method (ref.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purity | wt% | ~98.8 min | GC |
| Appearance | , | Bright & Clear | Visual |
| Density at 15°C | kg/m³ | ~809.5–811.5 | ASTM D 4052 |
| Specific gravity at 20°C/20°C | , | ~0.807–0.809 | ASTM D 4052 |
| Initial boiling point (IBP) | °C | ~98.0 min | ASTM D 1078 |
| Dry point (DP) | °C | ~103.0 max | ASTM D 1078 |
| Water content | wt% | ~0.2 max | ASTM E 1064 |
| Acidity (as acetic acid) | wt% | ~0.002 max | EC F-WTM12 |
| Colour (Platinum-Cobalt) | , | ~10 max | ASTM D 1209 / ISO 6271-2 |
| Flash point (closed cup) | °C | ~24 (indicative) | SDS / ASTM D 93 |
Indicative reference: industry standard SBA sales specification. CAS 78-92-2, EC 201-158-5. All values indicative, actual values are confirmed at the time of quotation only. TDS, SDS and CoA available on request prior to supply.
Where SBA is used
The largest commercial volumes of SBA worldwide are dedicated to downstream chemistry, not direct solvent use. The four cards below are the volume-driving applications. The secondary “solvent” applications follow further down.
MEK production (volume driver)
SBA is the industrial precursor to MEK (methyl ethyl ketone, butan-2-one) via catalytic dehydrogenation. This is the single largest commercial use globally. SBA spot availability and pricing track MEK demand cycles.
Typical buyer: MEK producers, integrated chemical plants
Surfactant chemistry
Used as building block or co-feed in surfactant synthesis, particularly for non-ionic and specialty surfactant routes. Purity, water content and isomer consistency matter for downstream product quality.
Typical buyer: surfactant manufacturers, specialty chemical houses
Coating intermediates
Used as intermediate in synthesis of specialty esters and ethers used in coating chemistry. Also as solvent reagent in coating formulation chemistry where the secondary alcohol functionality is required.
Typical buyer: coating intermediate producers, formulators
Sec-butyl acetate & downstream esters
SBA is the precursor to sec-butyl acetate via esterification with acetic acid. Sec-butyl acetate is used in coatings, inks and specialty solvent applications. Other ester routes also use SBA as a starting material.
Typical buyer: ester producers, downstream solvent suppliers
SBA is also used directly as a solvent in selected applications, typically where the milder flammability profile (Flam. Liq. 3 vs IPA’s Flam. Liq. 2) or the specific volatility/polarity match is the selection driver.
Industrial cleaning
Used in selected industrial cleaning formulations where the lower volatility and milder flammability profile of SBA fits the application better than IPA. Less common than IPA in bulk cleaning, more common in specialty cleaning.
Typical: industrial, application-specific
Coatings & paints (formulation solvent)
Used as solvent or co-solvent in selected industrial coating formulations, typically where slower evaporation than IPA is required. VOC implications under EU Directive 2004/42/EC must be considered by formulators.
Typical: industrial, formulation-specific
Specialty industrial formulations
Used as solvent in specialty industrial products, including some printing ink, hydraulic fluid and specialty cleaning applications where the secondary alcohol structure is preferred over primary alcohols.
Typical: specialty industrial, formulation-specific
Application suitability is the buyer’s responsibility. SBA is an industrial grade product and is not intended or supported for food, pharmaceutical or cosmetic applications.
Position vs IPA and MEK
SBA is often grouped commercially with other oxygenated solvents like IPA, MEK and ethyl acetate. That grouping is misleading: SBA is structurally and commercially different in three meaningful ways, and approaching SBA enquiries with IPA-type assumptions typically leads to mismatched expectations.
Different commercial role. IPA, MEK and ethyl acetate are sold primarily as finished solvents to formulators and end users. SBA is sold primarily as a chemical intermediate, with the largest single use being feedstock for MEK production via dehydrogenation. SBA volumes flow predominantly to downstream chemistry, not directly to solvent applications.
Different regulatory profile. SBA carries a notably milder CLP classification than IPA. SBA is Flam. Liq. 3 (signal word Warning), packing group III for transport. IPA is Flam. Liq. 2 (signal word Danger), packing group II. For buyers where flammability classification affects site receiving, storage or transport documentation, SBA can be the practically simpler option.
Different production chemistry link. SBA is the direct precursor to MEK. The two molecules are linked by a single industrial step (catalytic dehydrogenation). For procurement teams sourcing both, this means SBA and MEK availability are not independent: shifts in MEK demand affect SBA spot availability and vice versa. See MEK page.
Primarily intermediate. Flash point ~24°C, Flam. Liq. 3, Warning. UN1120 PG III. Boiling point ~98–103°C. Density ~810 kg/m³.
Use: MEK production, surfactants, ester chemistry, specialty solvent
Primarily solvent. Flash point ~12°C, Flam. Liq. 2, Danger. Packing group II. Boiling point ~82°C. Density ~786 kg/m³. Faster evaporation than SBA, more volatile, more flammable.
Use: cleaning, coatings, electronics, precision applications
Primarily solvent. Flash point ~−9°C, Flam. Liq. 2, Danger. Packing group II. Boiling point ~80°C. Density ~805 kg/m³. Made from SBA via dehydrogenation. Stronger solvent for resins than SBA.
Use: coatings, adhesives, printing inks, resin solvent
Regulatory context
SBA carries a well-established regulatory profile, with a notably milder CLP load than IPA. Key points for procurement are summarised below, based on indicative information from producer documentation.
CLP / GHS Classification
SBA carries four CLP classifications: Flam. Liq. 3 (H226), Eye Irrit. 2 (H319), STOT SE 3 (H335), STOT SE 3 (H336). Signal word: Warning. Flash point ~24°C (closed cup). Notably milder than IPA, which is Flam. Liq. 2 with signal word Danger.
Flam. Liq. 3 (Warning)Transport classification
UN1120 BUTANOLS, transport hazard class 3, packing group III across ADR/RID, IMDG and IATA. Packing group III is the mildest of the three flammable liquid packing groups, which can simplify site receiving and transport documentation compared to PG II products like IPA.
UN1120, class 3, PG IIIREACH, Candidate List (SVHC)
Based on indicative information from producer regulatory documentation, SBA (CAS 78-92-2) is not on the SVHC Candidate List. Subject to producer confirmation and supply route.
No SVHC, indicativeREACH Annex XVII, Restrictions
SBA is subject to Annex XVII Entry 3 (liquid substances with hazard classification) and Entry 40 (flammable liquids categories 1–3). Buyers are responsible for assessing compliance with applicable conditions of restriction for their specific use.
Buyer to assess per useVOC Classification, EU
SBA is a Volatile Organic Compound under Directive 2010/75/EU (industrial emissions) and Directive 2004/42/EC where applicable. Industrial users in regulated coating or cleaning environments must assess applicable VOC thresholds for their specific process and jurisdiction.
VOC, buyer to assessOccupational exposure
SBA has established occupational exposure limit values in the EU (TWA 8 hours: 100 ppm / 307 mg/m³ in Belgium, 12/2023). Site safety and ventilation should be designed accordingly. Confirm current applicable limits for your jurisdiction.
OEL applicableAll regulatory information is indicative and based on available producer documentation. It does not constitute legal advice. Buyers are solely responsible for assessing regulatory obligations applicable to their use, process and jurisdiction. Always verify with the current SDS and applicable regulatory authority.
Packaging & delivery
SBA is available in multiple packaging formats for European industrial buyers. Bulk road tanker is most common for MEK producers and large-volume intermediate users. IBC and drum supply are common for surfactant producers, ester producers and specialty solvent buyers. The appropriate route depends on volume, destination, application and current supply position, confirmed at the time of enquiry.
Steel drums
200 L
Standard format for smaller volumes. Suitable where IBC or bulk is not practical. Typical for trial, qualification or irregular demand.
IBC (tote)
1,000 L
Intermediate bulk container. Common format for mid-volume buyers. More efficient logistics than drums at comparable volumes.
Road tanker
~20–24 MT
Bulk supply for high-volume industrial buyers. Most cost-effective per tonne. Subject to receiving infrastructure, destination and minimum volume.
ISO tank
~20 MT
Suitable for longer distance or export supply. Subject to origin, destination and current supply route availability.
Enquiry process
From initial requirement to commercial response, handled directly, without automated routing or internal delay.
Requirement submitted
Product, purity requirement, delivery country, volume and any specification context, submitted via the enquiry form or by email. The more context provided, the more specific the response.
Grade & context review
The enquiry is reviewed against current market position, supply route options and the specific requirement. Grade, purity, water spec and packaging are considered together, not separately.
Commercial response
A commercial response covering pricing, availability, lead time and packaging route. Most enquiries receive a direct response from the relevant supplier in the network. No automated replies, reviewed personally.
Documentation on request
TDS, SDS and relevant regulatory or compliance documentation are discussed as part of the enquiry, subject to product and supply route. Documentation is provided before supply, not after order confirmation.
Frequently asked
Commercial enquiries
Pricing, availability and application context discussed directly. Mention whether SBA is needed as chemical intermediate (e.g. MEK feedstock, surfactant route, ester chemistry) or as solvent in formulations. Most enquiries receive a commercial response from the relevant supplier in the network.
Enquiries are reviewed and responded to personally. No automated reply system. If your requirement falls outside our current sourcing capability, we will say so directly.
SBA enquiry received.
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Important note, all specifications indicative
All product information, specification data and regulatory summaries on this page are provided for general orientation purposes only. They are based on indicative information derived from producer documentation and do not constitute a guarantee, warranty or representation of any kind.