| Chemical Properties | Amyl butyrate has a strong, penetrating odor and a sweet taste |
| Occurrence | Reported found in apple juice |
| Uses | Amyl Butyrate has been used in such flavors as apricot, pineapple, pear, plum, and sparingly in some perfume compositions. |
| Preparation | From n-amyl alcohol and butyric acid in the presence of H2SO4. |
| Definition | ChEBI: The butyrate ester of pentan-1-ol. |
| Aroma threshold values | Detection: 210 ppb |
| Taste threshold values | Taste characteristics at 30 ppm: sweet, fruity, banana, pineapple and tropical. |
| General Description | A colorless liquid. Less dense than water. Flash point 135°F. Boiling point 370°F. May emit acrid fumes and irritating smoke when burned. Used to make plastics. |
| Air & Water Reactions | Flammable. Soluble in water. |
| Reactivity Profile | AMYL BUTYRATE is an ester. Esters react with acids to liberate heat along with alcohols and acids. Strong oxidizing acids may cause a vigorous reaction that is sufficiently exothermic to ignite the reaction products. Heat is also generated by the interaction of esters with caustic solutions. Flammable hydrogen is generated by mixing esters with alkali metals and hydrides. |
| Health Hazard | May cause toxic effects if inhaled or absorbed through skin. Inhalation or contact with material may irritate or burn skin and eyes. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Vapors may cause dizziness or suffocation. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause pollution. |
| Fire Hazard | HIGHLY FLAMMABLE: Will be easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames. Vapors may form explosive mixtures with air. Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back. Most vapors are heavier than air. They will spread along ground and collect in low or confined areas (sewers, basements, tanks). Vapor explosion hazard indoors, outdoors or in sewers. Runoff to sewer may create fire or explosion hazard. Containers may explode when heated. Many liquids are lighter than water. |
| Safety Profile | Mildly toxic by
ingestion. When heated to decomposition it
emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes. |