N-butanol and isobutanol are produced from butyraldehydes, which are generated via the oxo reaction of syngas with propylene. N-butanol remains an important intermediate used in the production of acrylate esters, butyl acetate, glycol ethers, plasticizers and solvents. Due its short C4 chain it is considered to be a so-called solvent alcohol, together with C3 and C5 oxo alcohols, recognizing that the largest historical area of use for these alcohols and their derivatives is as carriers/diluents for paints and other surface coatings. Many of its key derivatives (n-butyl acrylate, n-butyl acetate, glycol ethers) are employed in coatings and adhesives, either as monomers (n-butyl acrylate) for coating resins or as formulating solvents (n-butyl acetate, glycol ether, direct solvent) in coatings, adhesives and other end-use segments.
