Chengguan District, Lanzhou, Gansu, China sales01@liwei-chem.com 1557459043@qq.com
Follow us:



Butane BP EP USP Pharma Grade: Detailed Overview

What is Butane BP EP USP Pharma Grade?

Butane, carrying the chemical formula C4H10, comes in several grades. Out of those, the BP EP USP Pharma Grade stands out due to its compliance with rigorous British Pharmacopoeia (BP), European Pharmacopoeia (EP), and United States Pharmacopeia (USP) benchmarks. This means not only high purity but also trustworthy traceability. Stringent processes filter out unwanted substances which could cause issues in pharmaceutical or critical laboratory work. Butane's structure consists of four carbon atoms and ten hydrogens, forming a straightforward alkane. Its reliability for serving as a raw material in chemical synthesis deserves respect. Careful production ensures it doesn't include sulfur, heavy metals, or other harmful residuals. The HS Code for this substance usually sits in the 2901.10 category, clearly marking it as a hydrocarbon. Supplier documentation should list the lot number, origin, test methods, and purity for each batch, forming the backbone for traceability and E-E-A-T compliance.

Physical and Chemical Properties

Butane in this high-grade form stays colorless and nearly odorless unless odorized for safety. In natural conditions, like room temperature and atmospheric pressure, it rests as a gas. Cooling or pressurizing it turns it into a liquid, and this property makes transport and storage easier within specially engineered cylinders. Its boiling point is minus 0.5°C (31.1°F), which means it vaporizes quickly if the container integrity fails or pressure drops. Its density in the liquid state hovers around 0.579 kg/L at 20°C, which is important for dosing during blending, pharmaceutical formulations, and synthesis. Vapor density (compared to air) hits about 2, emphasizing the importance of ventilation since butane can build up at floor level. The molecular weight calculates to 58.12 g/mol, and it shows no ionic charge or polarity, so it mixes best with other hydrocarbons instead of polar solvents like water. It resists breaking down under most conditions but burns easily, producing water and carbon dioxide. Its inertness in basic environments makes it handy for streamlining pharmaceutical processes and acting as a carrier for inhalable medications.

Appearance and Behavior

Butane BP EP USP Pharma Grade, unlike crude industrial types, never contains visible solids, flakes, crystals, powders, or pearls. In its purest state used by pharmaceutical labs, you won’t see any cloudiness or sediment. If cooled enough, butane can form a colorless liquid, though handling requires pressure-rated containers. You won’t find it in solid or flake form at typical storage temperatures, which matters for dosing precision and safety. Purity standards guard against contamination seen in lower-grade or technical variants. You can’t overstate the importance of keeping it clear from dust or residual metals, both for drug formulation and to avoid reactivity that introduces unwanted risk.

Properties, Safety, and Hazards

Working with butane always demands strict attention to safety. Its flash point sits at minus 60°C, creating an extreme flammability risk. If mixed with air at concentrations between roughly 1.5% and 8.5%, ignition can shoot flames across confined spaces, making spark avoidance critical. Even at lowered purity, butane vapor exposure can depress the central nervous system. Inhalation in small, accidental doses brings dizziness or headaches; in accidental high doses or enclosed spaces, asphyxiation becomes a risk because butane can push out oxygen. Pharma grade specifications enforce a harsh limit on impurities, so there's minimal sulfur or aromatic hydrocarbons, both for safety and for health. Always store butane cylinders upright, cap them properly, and avoid extreme heat or sunlight. Each label should carry a hazard diamond, “Keep Away from Heat and Flame” warning, and instructions for rapid evacuation if a leak happens.

Molecular Structure, Formula, and Specifics

Butane belongs to the alkane group, defined by single bonds between carbon atoms, allowing free rotation at room temperature. The linear “n-butane” configures as CH3-CH2-CH2-CH3. There's also a “iso-butane” version branched differently, but for BP EP USP Pharma Grade the linear form shows up most. Scientists like this molecule for its predictability and clean reaction profile, especially in formulation science. With four carbons forming an orderly single chain, it exhibits only very weak Van der Waals forces between molecules, explaining its fast evaporation and instant dispersion in open systems. Material Safety Data Sheets spell out these characteristics and confirm compliance with all major pharmacopoeial purity lists, reassuring regulators, manufacturers, and clinicians.

Volume, Solution, and Material Use

Usually, butane BP EP USP Pharma Grade arrives in pressurized steel containers, with volumes marked in liters or kilograms for traceability. Large-scale users—contract manufacturers, hospital compounding centers, and chemical research labs—track raw material intake meticulously. Quality assurance teams check paperwork showing solvent extraction, reactivity under storage, and compatibility with pharmaceutical excipients. Inhaler formulations, laboratory standards, and temperature calibration routines rely on butane’s predictable vapor pressure and reactivity. Storage routines include leak checks, tank purging to avoid moisture pickup, and inventory protocols to limit the risk from accidental release.

Harmful Effects, Hazards, and Protective Measures

Even with tight controls, butane always carries a risk. Its physical properties mean leaks can displace air, creating an asphyxiation hazard. Equipment designed for pharmaceutical-grade butane withstands pressure release and satisfies the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) handling advice: robust ventilation, flame-free zones, and personal protective equipment. In the rare event impurities sneak in, those might introduce carcinogens or corrosive agents, which drug auditors check through random batch testing. Health and safety training isn't a box-ticking exercise—it's vital for everyone from warehouse staff through research chemists. Spills get handled with portable gas detectors, forced ventilation, and full area evacuation. Emergency plans emphasize rapid cylinder isolation, because every second counts if a cylinder leaks indoors.

Importance for Raw Material Sourcing

Choosing pharma grade butane means respecting the needs of both patient safety and manufacturing efficiency. Drug companies tap certified suppliers who publish transparent analytical data. Regulatory audits ensure every shipment matches its certificate of analysis, and any deviation brings a recall. By sticking to BP EP USP benchmarks, supply chains lower the chances of product recalls, adulteration, and accidental harm. Documenting every detail, right down to the storage temperature and humidity, is old-fashioned due diligence with a very modern necessity. For any company in the industry, sourcing from global networks with strong compliance keeps their name off the morning news—and keeps hospitals properly stocked with high-integrity raw materials for pressing global health needs.