1,4-Butanediol (Butane-1,4-diol) is an organic compound with the molecular formula C₄H₁₀O₂ and a molecular weight of 90.12. It appears as a colorless or pale yellow oily liquid. It is flammable, with a freezing point of 20.1°C and a refractive index of 1.4461. It is soluble in methanol, ethanol, and acetone. It is hygroscopic, has a bitter odor, and tastes slightly sweet when ingested.
It is used as a solvent and humectant, as well as in the production of plasticizers, pharmaceuticals, polyester resins, polyurethane resins, etc.
Freezing point ≤19.0°C
Mass fraction of 1,4-butanediol ≥99.5%
Bromine value ≤0.10%
Refractive index 1.445~1.446
Moisture content ≤0.10%
Hydroxyl value ≤0.2%
Color (Platinum-Cobalt scale) ≤25
1,4-Butanediol is an important raw material in organic and fine chemical industries, serving as a fundamental component in the production of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) engineering plastics and PBT fibers. PBT plastic is one of the five most promising engineering plastics.
1,4-Butanediol is also a primary raw material for producing tetrahydrofuran (THF), an important organic solvent. Polymerization of THF yields polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTMEG), which is the basic raw material for producing high-elasticity spandex (Lycra fiber). Spandex is mainly used in the production of high-elastic knitted products such as advanced sportswear and swimwear.