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Dibutyl Sebacate, known in labs and factories as DBS, is a chemical compound used in pharmaceutical and industrial settings. Its molecular formula, C18H34O4, points to a specific structure, two butyl groups attached to the sebacic acid backbone. You’ll find DBS listed under the HS Code 29171300, flagging it in customs paperwork for easy recognition. This compound looks like a clear, oily liquid at room temperature, with a distinct, mild odor. Its density settles around 1.05 g/cm³, making it heavier than water but much lighter than many other specialty chemicals. DBS isn’t volatile, which allows it to remain stable in basic lab and factory conditions. The pharmaceutical grades—BP, EP, USP—mean strict purity for use in tablets, capsules, and topical products. The grade attaches itself directly to safe, consistent human use, since those standards demand low impurity levels and close adherence to strict analytical results.
The structure defines how Dibutyl Sebacate behaves. As an ester from sebacic acid and butanol, it holds flexibility in its carbon chains. Under standard conditions, it appears as a clear, oily substance, sometimes forming viscous drops. It never becomes solid at room temperature, but chilling can thicken it slightly. Its boiling point reaches 344°C, a high value that keeps it calm during normal processing. Water solubility sits at less than 0.01 g/100 mL, so it won’t mix easily with water solutions. This hydrophobic nature means it prefers hanging out with similar liquids or dissolving in organic solvents like ethanol or chloroform. For some drug formulation workers, understanding these characteristics guides safe handling and predictable blending. The viscosity brings a plasticizing effect to polymers, tablets, and topical gels. In the lab, measuring out DBS by weight gives reliable dosing since density does not fluctuate wildly. Color remains a reliable indicator, too; pure pharmaceutical grade boasts no yellowing or cloudiness.
Pharma-grade Dibutyl Sebacate aligns with specifications set by British Pharmacopoeia (BP), European Pharmacopoeia (EP), and United States Pharmacopeia (USP). These benchmarks call for clear appearance, accurate assay values near 99%, acidity below 0.2 mg KOH/g, and minimal water content. The melting and boiling points matter less, since the compound functions as a liquid in all practical settings. Impurities, especially heavy metals and residual solvents, face sharp limits in pharmaceutical grades. These specifications shape the way quality control teams approach DBS inspection: a sample failing even a single requirement means rejection for pharma uses. Each drum or container, whether 200-liter steel drums or specialized pharma-grade plastic, must clearly show batch numbers, expiration dates, and full traceability.
DBS shows up only as a liquid in the pharma domain—it doesn’t form flakes, pearls, or powders at room temperature. If you spot any tiny crystals, that hints at contamination or mislabeling, not the real product. Packaging always includes tightly sealed caps and inert, clean liners, protecting it from dust, water vapor, or air exposure. As a raw material, DBS usually heads straight for pill presses or gel manufacturing kettles. Workers pour it or pump it in liquid state, sometimes measuring out doses by liter or kilogram, never requiring melting or powder-dispersion steps. In tablets, it brings flexibility to coatings, so pills don’t crack or flake during bottling and shipping. In topical creams or gels, the plasticizer effect keeps thicker products smooth and easy to spread. Some medical device makers even use DBS to soften medical-grade polymers, creating flexible catheters and tubing that carry biocompatibility certifications.
Dibutyl Sebacate presents several safety talking points. On safety data sheets, it carries minor irritant classification but not a flag for major toxicity or cancer risk. Handling requires gloves to avoid skin dryness or mild irritation, especially in large-volume situations. Once a worker splashes DBS on skin, simple soap and water remove it without lasting effects. Respiratory risk stays low, as the compound does not form harmful vapors except under burning or prolonged heating. Burns, fires, or direct ingestion can lead to real health concerns—the compound can break down to irritant acids and alcohols at high temperatures. For environmental safety, spilled DBS can create slick surfaces and needs prompt physical cleanup, not just washing down a drain. Disposal usually follows hazardous waste guidelines, keeping streams and soils clear of persistent chemical residues. In raw ingredient storerooms, drums or tanks always stay sealed and away from oxidizers or open flames, an extra measure to avoid possible combustion.
DBS plays a quiet but central role in ensuring that many pharmaceutical products stay safe, effective, and pleasant to use. Quality in this chemical means a direct line to the quality of patient medicines. When sourcing or manufacturing relies on steady, tightly regulated DBS, fewer surprises hit the end of the production line. Yet supply chain disruptions—toxic contamination or improper storage—can throw entire batches at risk. Addressing these issues takes real-world focus: robust supplier vetting, thorough batch testing, and clear staff education on the material. Reducing hazards means not just gloves and goggles, but a culture where a splash, spill, or label error gets flagged and fixed before turning into a wider problem. Regulatory audits and supplier partnerships keep everyone honest and quality high, which patients and healthcare practitioners rely on, often without ever knowing the compound’s name. Safe, predictable, and high-purity DBS lets scientists and engineers keep creating new and better medicines, all while respecting worker safety and environmental standards in every drum and every liter that leaves a factory.
Chengguan District, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
