Product Overview
Isobutyraldehyde (IBAL, CAS: 78-84-2), also known as 2-methylpropanal, is a colourless, transparent liquid with a pungent odour and an isomer of n-butyraldehyde. It is slightly soluble in water and freely soluble in common organic solvents. It can be oxidised to isobutyric acid under atmospheric conditions.
Without dedicated independent synthesis units, industrial isobutyraldehyde is mainly obtained as a by-product from propylene oxo-synthesis plants for butanol and octanol production. It serves as a core fine chemical intermediate in the C4 industrial chain.
Basic Specifications
|
English Name |
Isobutyraldehyde |
|
CAS No. |
78-84-2 |
|
Molecular Formula |
C₄H₈O |
|
Molecular Weight |
72.11 |
|
EINECS No. |
201-149-6 |
|
HS Code |
2912190090 |
|
Appearance |
Colourless transparent liquid |
|
Density (20℃) |
0.7938 g/cm³ |
|
Boiling Point |
64.5℃ |
|
Melting Point |
-65.9℃ |
|
Flash Point |
-10.6℃ |
|
Water Solubility (20℃) |
75 g/L |
|
Azeotropic Property |
Forms an azeotrope with water at 59℃ with approximately 94% isobutyraldehyde content (literature values vary slightly). |
Production Processes
Commercial isobutyraldehyde is exclusively produced as a by-product from propylene hydroformylation (oxo process) for butanol-octanol production. Two mainstream industrial technologies are adopted:
High-pressure Cobalt Catalysis (Traditional, Phasing Out): Delivers a n/i-butyraldehyde ratio of 3–4:1 with high by-product yield and high energy consumption, gradually replaced by advanced processes.
Low-pressure Rhodium Catalysis (Current Mainstream): Achieves a total product yield of 98% and a n/i-butyraldehyde ratio of 8–10:1, featuring high product purity, stable operation and superior cost performance for large-scale production.
Quality Standards
Complies with HG/T 4965-2016 Industrial Isobutyraldehyde (Premium Grade)
Isobutyraldehyde Content: ≥99.2%
n-Butyraldehyde Impurity: ≤0.26%
Water Content: ≤0.3%
Isobutyric Acid Content: ≤0.3%
Industrial Chain (CAS Verified)
Upstream Raw Materials
Propylene (115-07-1)
Carbon Monoxide (630-08-0)
Hydrogen (1333-74-0)
Downstream Derivatives
Isobutanol (78-83-1)
Neopentyl Glycol (126-30-7)
Hydroxypivalic Acid Neopentyl Glycol Ester (1115-20-4)
Isobutyric Acid (79-31-2)
Isobutylamine (78-81-9)
Methyl Isopropyl Ketone (563-80-4)
Calcium Pantothenate (137-08-6)
DL-Pantolactone (599-04-2)
Isobutylidene Diurea (6104-29-6)
Ester-12 (26896-20-8)
Rifapentine (61379-65-5)
China Industrial Characteristics
Global Core Production Base: China owns the world's largest butanol-octanol plant capacity, ranking first globally in isobutyraldehyde market circulation and operational stability.
Mature Process Technology: Low-pressure rhodium catalysis is widely adopted domestically, ensuring stable premium-grade product quality and mature rectification and purification technology.
Complete Industrial Closed Loop: China covers the full downstream deep-processing system of isobutyraldehyde with complete supporting industries, achieving strong self-supply and export capacity.
Safety, Storage & Transportation Specifications
UN Number: 2045
Hazard Class: Class 3 Flammable Liquid
Packing Group: Group II
GHS Hazards: H225 Highly flammable liquid and vapour; H319 Causes serious eye irritation
Storage Requirements: Store in cool, ventilated and explosion-proof warehouses. Keep away from heat sources, open flames and static electricity. Isolate from oxidants and strong acids.
Transport Requirements: Transport as Class 3 flammable liquid with fully sealed containers. Avoid high-temperature exposure and mixed transportation with strong oxidising agents.
