Dibutyl Maleate has roots in the expansion of the chemical industry during the early twentieth century, a period fueled by the growing demands of synthetic materials and specialized additives. In the decades following, improved distillation and esterification techniques brought DBM out of the lab and into commercial production. Large-scale uses picked up in the wake of synthetic resin development, with the paint and coatings sector showing a hunger for plasticizers to toughen up brittle polymers. As consumer expectations shifted, so did quality standards and methods for making DBM, with incremental changes in equipment and process controls aiming to cut impurities and increase consistency.
Manufacturers describe Dibutyl Maleate as a colorless, oily liquid, faintly aromatic, and not so quick to evaporate. With a molecular formula of C12H20O4, it finds value as an intermediate, a plasticizer, or as a reactive diluent, especially wherever flexibility in polymers matters. This compound doesn’t cause a stir on its own, but it rarely sits on shelves for long once it walks out of the bulk tanks — it flows straight into production lines for adhesives, paints, sealants, and textile treatments. Its resilience against weathering and capacity to soften polymers ensure its ongoing popularity across industries.
Dibutyl Maleate has a boiling point hovering around 340°F, low enough for safe handling but high enough to withstand most process conditions without vapor loss. Its molecular weight hovers just over 228 g/mol, and it carries moderate solubility in organic solvents like ethanol, acetone, and ether. Water won’t budge it, so spills don’t dissolve but spread. Viscosity remains low, keeping pipelines and mixing vessels free from buildup. Chemical stability under normal temperatures gives engineers room to work without constantly battling breakdown reactions. Odor is mild, nowhere close to overpowering, making plant operators’ lives easier.
Product labels lay out key metrics including purity, acid value, moisture content, and specific gravity. Purity for industrial supply commonly hits or exceeds 99 percent, keeping side products to a minimum. Acid value maxes out near 0.3 mg KOH/g, giving a quick snapshot of how well the batch was finished and neutralized. Buyers flag water content above 0.1 percent, since excess moisture can ruin downstream synthesis or promote hydrolysis. Proper labeling also covers hazard codes, storage temperature ranges, batch numbers, and manufacturer details, helping distributors trace every canister in case of a quality or safety concern.
Manufacturers take maleic anhydride and blend it with n-butanol in a reactor, activating esterification using catalysts like sulfuric acid or p-toluenesulfonic acid. Continuous agitation and distillation draw off water as the reaction proceeds, pushing the equilibrium toward full ester formation. Operators track pH and reaction time, watching for residual acid to dip before filtering and refining the output. Any excess n-butanol is recovered and recycled. Minor tweaks to this formula — such as switching catalysts or optimizing the feed ratios — make or break efficiency and yield, with waste handling routines ready for byproducts at the tail end.
Dibutyl Maleate shines as a Michael acceptor, opening up a range of addition and cross-linking reactions. Companies often grab it for graft copolymerization, especially in setting up specialty rubbers and plastics with altered flexibility or weather resistance. It slips into Diels-Alder and transesterification reactions too, especially in custom latexes, modifying performance traits for precise industrial needs. Some research groups experiment with hydrogenation, aiming to generate novel derivatives that play nicely with newer environmentally friendly resins. There’s interest in converting DBM to dibutyl fumarate, though this reaction demands diligent temperature and catalyst control.
Dibutyl Maleate often appears in procurement sheets as DBM, Maleic acid dibutyl ester, or simply as the systematic title: dibutyl (Z)-butenedioate. CAS numbers help avoid confusion in warehouse settings, but not every supplier uses the same product code. Certain trades refer to DBM by proprietary brand names, each tied to its source and regional market. Lab stockrooms sometimes tag it as the “maleic ester of n-butanol,” particularly where students rotate through. These naming quirks remind everyone to double-check what’s actually inside each drum before use.
Plant workers need thick gloves, splash goggles, and lab coats before handling DBM. Even though inhalation risk stays low due to its low volatility, accidental skin contact leaves a lingering irritation. Open storage risks absorbent materials or standing puddles, so drums stay sealed tight, out of direct sunlight, and away from any heat source. Ventilation systems hum to life in workspaces, drawing off potential vapors. Fire-fighting plans follow local chemical regulations, given the compound’s flammability profile. Emergency showers and eyewash stations always stand nearby, providing a quick fix in case mistakes happen. Strict adherence to workplace exposure limits — drawing on government and international chemical safety protocols — protects health and ensures insurance compliance.
Polymer engineers appreciate what DBM brings to vinyl and acrylic dispersions, delivering flexibility and impact resistance to coatings, adhesives, and caulks. Textile manufacturers depend on it to finish fabrics, improving drape and durability. Paint chemistry takes advantage of its plasticizing action and weather resistance, producing automotive and architectural finishes that last. Elastic films for food industry packing rely on DBM’s ability to soften and stabilize base resins. Over in the sealants industry, the compound bonds with silica fillers, helping seal building joints or automotive windows. Custom rubber goods pick up added snap and resilience thanks to carefully tuned DBM-based additives, keeping prices down without cutting corners on product life.
University and industrial labs both push to improve DBM’s production efficiency and safety track record. Teams study alternative catalysts and renewable starting materials, aiming to lower carbon footprints without hiking costs. There’s a wave of research on using bio-based n-butanol, sourced from fermentation, to lessen the reliance on petrochemical feedstocks. Computational chemists model reaction pathways to spot potential for waste reduction and identify better ways to purify the output. Some developers test new application fields, like green solvents or reactive monomers for biodegradable plastics. The relentless drive to optimize remains, shaped by market needs and tighter environmental standards.
Toxicologists run regular studies on DBM, with test results published in regulatory filings and scientific journals. Acute oral and dermal toxicities sit on the mild side compared to related esters, as animal studies suggest minimal long-term buildup in tissues. High-exposure scenarios, such as direct contact or inhaling mist, do bring short-term irritation or headaches, especially in poorly ventilated spaces. Chronic exposure data is limited, so precaution guides handling standards. Regulators in Europe and North America require robust risk assessments and environmental impact models for each new use. If evidence ever shows health or ecological risks, restrictions or labeling changes follow quickly. This push-and-pull between innovation and safety oversight keeps chemical users aware and forces deeper study into long-term impact.
Global demand for DBM connects tightly to trends in construction, automotive finishes, and consumer packaging. Regulatory chatter about safer chemicals keeps companies circling on greener synthesis pathways, including biobased inputs and recovery systems for spent materials. Engineered variants of DBM could soon land in more specialized roles, supporting the expansion of waterborne resins and UV-cured coatings where old-school plasticizers fall short. Efforts to drive down residual acid and boost batch consistency will likely dominate the next decade, as manufacturers race to outcompete rivals by delivering a cleaner, safer, and more versatile product for existing and emerging markets. The science points at even bigger gains in sustainability, transparency, and safety, promising a more accountable supply chain—and opening the door to high-performance materials built for the next generation.
Dibutyl Maleate shows up on the ingredient list for a surprising number of products. People who work with paints, adhesives, or textiles already know its reputation. DBM brings flexibility, control, and reliability to manufacturing. From personal experience talking with polymer chemists and material buyers, the most common words used about DBM: “makes things less brittle,” “keeps things moving,” “lets coatings breathe.”
Plastics can snap, crack, and lose shape. DBM steps in as a plasticizer to make plastics and resins more flexible and workable. Polyvinyl acetate and polyvinyl chloride, both everywhere from pipes to upholstery, often use DBM when producers want durable but bendable end products. Walk into any hardware store, and some of the sealants, caulks, and vinyl tiles owe their pliability to this chemical.
Most wood glues and craft adhesives don’t stick well if the formula dries too stiff. DBM lets them grip better, especially under temperature swings or humidity. Shoe manufacturers and bookbinders look for consistent results, and DBM helps them get it. The resilience it brings to contact adhesives means fewer call-backs for failed repairs.
Working in textile factories taught me that the finish on a fabric makes all the difference to how clothes feel and wear over time. DBM softens fibers and helps coatings stick better, which keeps garments smooth without heavy, waxy finishes. Leather treatment uses it to stop cracking and to preserve suppleness, especially for higher-end goods where touch matters.
DBM gets a lot of respect on the paint line. Too rigid or too soft, a paint film just won’t hold up across seasons. DBM’s flexibility means fewer worries about chipping and peeling on woodwork, window frames, or automotive finishes. Outdoor paints with DBM keep surfaces looking good, especially in regions where weather can swing from dry heat to sudden rain.
DBM isn’t just an end product; chemists use it to build more advanced chemicals. The double bonds in maleate make it useful for synthesizing compounds in pharmaceuticals, surfactants, and specialty additives. Industrial labs like its predictability and how it plays well with other ingredients during controlled reactions.
A range of safety data shows DBM scores well for low toxicity in consumer applications, letting manufacturers use it in regulated markets. The EPA and international chemical agencies list DBM among chemicals with decent environmental profiles, provided producers use standard waste controls. Improvements in bio-based routes for DBM production are starting to show up, which could ease worries about petrochemical sourcing in the next decade.
No chemical fits every job. Some industries want more plant-based ingredients, others focus on workplace safety or product longevity. Newer alternatives based on renewable feedstocks could supplement DBM’s uses, but so far, many companies stick with what works. Transparency about sourcing and regular safety reviews will matter as more customers ask questions about the chemicals in everyday goods.
References:Dibutyl Maleate shows up in factories, classrooms, and research labs for good reason. Its chemical formula is C12H20O4, combining twelve carbon atoms, twenty hydrogens, and four oxygens. You add up the elemental weights: carbon at about 12.01, hydrogen at 1.01, and oxygen at 16. It totals out to a molecular weight of about 228.28 g/mol.
That number is more than trivia—it guides real-world safety protocols, storage decisions, and production math. Teaching undergrads years ago, I saw how students would treat the formula as something to memorize. In reality, this is their launching pad for understanding how much they’re measuring, what their products could weigh, and even how toxic a spill might become.
Dibutyl Maleate rarely grabs headlines, but you’ll find it in the supply chains of paints, coatings, and adhesive production lines. Companies use it as a plasticizer, making things bend and flex rather than snap. Its structure, coming from maleic acid and butanol, shapes its compatibility with other chemicals.
Knowing the chemical formula changes how you use this material. Picture a chemist tasked with blending a new resin. They calculate everything from raw mass to the reaction yield. Getting the formula right means they don’t come up short or waste an expensive ingredient. Mistakes in math translate to millions lost or finished goods failing quality tests. Strong knowledge of molecular weights supports everything from pricing to shelf life.
Familiarity with the formula and weight tells a safety officer how Dibutyl Maleate will behave if it leaks. With C12H20O4 clocking in at 228.28 g/mol, the vapor pressure and solubility guide decisions during accidental spills. This data feeds directly into the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet), which influences how much personal protective equipment you need, where to install fume hoods, and when to call the hazmat crew.
Years ago, an operator in our shop underestimated the importance of molecular weight and didn’t realize a tank would need extra venting. That oversight nearly caused an emergency evacuation. Clear and available chemistry facts change behavior and keep entire teams safe.
Chemistry depends on accuracy. Regulatory agencies trust labs to report chemicals like Dibutyl Maleate with correct formulas and weights. If a supplier lists the wrong numbers, customers run into customs delays and rejected shipments. In labs, even routine chemical reactions stumble without reliable starting points, leading to wasted effort and higher costs.
A solution spins around better education and transparency. Folks who handle these chemicals should get training that connects formulas to practical uses. Digital access to real-time reference databases, regularly checked for errors, saves time and reduces surprises. Building a habit of careful math and up-to-date information pays off in better results and less risk, not just in theory, but every time someone pours Dibutyl Maleate into a beaker or vat.
Every time I walk by a bench where dibutyl maleate is in use, I see the same routine—gloves on, goggles in place, someone double-checking the bottle label. This liquid finds itself in all kinds of products, from adhesives to plastics. Its fruity odor gives away its presence, but not everything it holds back. Many folks might shrug at another clear chemical, but dibutyl maleate deserves a careful hand.
Chemical exposure stories come up often enough in labs and small manufacturing shops. Dibutyl maleate sometimes irritates skin and eyes. Even a splash on bare skin leads to redness or itching. Fume hoods aren’t only for the dramatic stuff with skull-and-crossbones labels. Inhaling vapors can trigger coughing or a sore throat. I remember one summer intern who scoffed at light irritation warnings—he didn’t ignore them the next time he had red hands for half a day.
OSHA and the European Chemicals Agency both list dibutyl maleate as hazardous to some extent. The Globally Harmonized System slaps a warning sign on its label. Both acute and chronic exposures stack up trouble: skin contact brings irritation and, after repeated contact, possible allergic reactions. Nobody wants to develop a sensitivity that’ll haunt every chemistry job afterward. Breathing in enough vapor can lead to wheezing or chest tightness—reports in workplace injury logs show this isn’t a theoretical worry.
Some will say dibutyl maleate doesn’t ignite easily, which is true under standard conditions. That doesn’t mean people should ignore risk. It breaks down under strong heat, spitting out fumes that cause headaches and nausea. If a drum leaks, crews have to wade through slippery, pungent pools. Emergency responders get quick training on containment not because this is a scary poison, but because accidents spiral if ignored.
Gloves, goggles, and good ventilation make up the front line. I started in old buildings with rickety hoods: no one wanted to linger around the exhaust, so folks rushed extra steps. Modern labs with airflow checks take the guesswork out. Using closed systems keeps vapors in check, and quick wipe-downs prevent sticky surprises. Even outside the lab, training makes a difference. People respect what they understand, so posting up clear safety charts makes sense. Spills don’t just need paper towels—they need special absorbents and a plan. Chemical wastes go straight into marked containers, never the sink.
Some researchers test alternatives for applications like plastic production, but nothing swaps seamlessly for dibutyl maleate’s plasticizing properties. So, for now, chemistry classrooms and plant floors approach this compound with experience and care. My former supervisor still shares stories at safety briefings: hands full of gloves, eyes wide, and not a single pass on the protocols. It’s a reminder that respect for chemicals isn’t just policy—it’s habit.
DBM—dead burned magnesia—looks like a simple mineral product, but the way it’s packaged and stored has a big impact on how well it performs, how long it lasts, and whether it stays safe and clean before use. My time working with raw materials in a manufacturing setting taught me early that overlooking packaging details can wreck a shipment or grind plant operations to a halt. This goes double for DBM, given its sensitivity to moisture and the quality standards downstream industries demand.
DBM’s main enemy is water. Even in small amounts, moisture eats away at the value and usability of the product. Factories typically receive DBM in polypropylene bags lined with polyethylene. The liner forms a shield against water vapor, helping to keep the magnesia from clumping or reacting during transport. For larger operations, manufacturers use bulk bags—big, flexible containers known as FIBCs (Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers), sometimes with added moisture barriers. Some shipping requires even sturdier containers, such as steel drums or bins, especially if the cargo will travel across humid environments or sit in warehouses for weeks.
Palletization makes a difference too. Wrapping bags on wooden or plastic pallets with stretch film locks out dust and deters pests. Pallets also speed up loading and unloading, slashing turnaround times on busy shop floors. In places where conditions get wet, companies sometimes add one more defense: plastic covers or shrink wrap. These measures might sound simple, but they spare headaches caused by water-damaged product and cost far less than a failed batch.
In my experience, a dry warehouse with good airflow beats high-tech solutions most days. Storing DBM off the ground, on pallets, and away from walls leaves fewer spots for condensation or water intrusion. Warehouses that stay cool and dry work wonders for shelf life. Operators check packaging for punctures or tears before stacking. If the outer bag gets ripped, even with an inner liner, the risk from dampness soars overnight.
Some facilities install dehumidifiers or climate control where local weather supports mold growth, but these add-ons aren’t always a fix for lazy storage. The core idea is simple: keep DBM well above ground level and out of standing water. Open bags only when ready to use, and reseal leftovers tight if there’s any to store. I still remember a grim pile of caked magnesia left in a forgotten, open bag after just a week in summer. Lessons like that stick with you.
Lax packaging or poor storage can lead to more than just wasted raw material. Tainted DBM means costly returns or even claims. Some buyers now demand proof of packaging quality and storage procedures at audit time. On more than one job site, I saw suppliers lose business after a big delivery fell victim to rainwater. Protecting DBM at every step takes a team who cares about the details. Regular staff training, better inventory rotation, and keeping storage audits on the yearly calendar keep quality high and costs low.
Safe packaging and mindful storage of DBM might seem routine to some, but for those who rely on its integrity—steelmakers, refractory plants, and many others—these steps mean the difference between smooth production and lost profits.
Dibutyl maleate sits on shelves in chemical plants and factories, away from grocery aisles and pharmacies. It’s a colorless liquid, made by reacting maleic anhydride with butanol, mostly found in paints, adhesives, coatings, and plastics. Once you dig into the literature, including facts from chemical safety boards and regulatory bodies, it’s clear that this compound usually has no place in food or pharma.
Everything that enters food or medicine goes through an approval process involving toxicology studies, exposure assessments, and years of scientific review. Regulatory heavyweights like the FDA and EFSA demand strong evidence for safety. Up to now, dibutyl maleate hasn’t gained approval for either food additives or pharmaceutical excipients. Research shows it can cause skin and eye irritation. Even trace residue of butanol after manufacturing raises questions about possible harm.
Then comes the issue of metabolites. Dibutyl maleate, as it breaks down in the body or the environment, doesn’t offer reassurances about the safety of its breakdown products. Not a single published clinical trial or risk evaluation highlights dibutyl maleate as fit for direct human consumption. That’s a crucial stop sign.
Sometimes cost drives consideration. Industrial chemicals like dibutyl maleate are relatively cheap and offer flexibility in applications like making plastics bendy. The food and pharma sectors keep a close eye on new substances, but with pricing pressures everywhere, there’s always some push to seek alternatives. From my background working alongside process chemists and regulatory experts, the urge to try new additives runs up against huge risks when health gets involved.
Food and medicine occupy a special spot in people’s lives. Even the faintest hint of unsafe ingredients causes waves of concern. When any company, or regulator, considers allowing a new compound into food or drugs, public trust sits on the line. Scandals over tainted food or unsafe medicines shake entire industries and lead to stricter rules. Dibutyl maleate hasn’t shown convincing data for being safe in people. Reports instead raise concerns about organ toxicity and environmental impact with improper handling. This risk far outweighs any potential benefit.
Plenty of safer, thoroughly reviewed alternatives populate the approved ingredient lists across the world. Chemists and formulators have access to esters and plasticizers designed for direct or indirect contact with foods, all vetted for purity and safe breakdown. If a company wants to innovate, a transparent application and review process remains the only viable path. Building that case takes time, investment, and a commitment to not cut corners.
I’ve sat in meetings where shortcuts tempted teams. No one wants the liability or fallout from being associated with a questionable ingredient. The lesson from those cases always comes back to this: stick with what’s proven safe. Innovating responsibly means respecting the strict lines that separate food or medicine from industrial chemicals.
| Names | |
| Preferred IUPAC name | dibutyl (Z)-but-2-enedioate |
| Other names |
Dibutyl fumarate
Maleic acid dibutyl ester DBM Butyl maleate Dibutyl (Z)-butenedioate |
| Pronunciation | /daɪˈbjuːtɪl məˈleɪət/ |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | 105-76-0 |
| Beilstein Reference | 635942 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:34772 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL142967 |
| ChemSpider | 53520 |
| DrugBank | DB02574 |
| ECHA InfoCard | ECHA InfoCard: 100.006.350 |
| EC Number | 203-653-1 |
| Gmelin Reference | 81804 |
| KEGG | C01738 |
| MeSH | D008332 |
| PubChem CID | 31293 |
| RTECS number | OI9625000 |
| UNII | 373R1G6C16 |
| UN number | UN3082 |
| CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | DTXSID6020708 |
| Properties | |
| Chemical formula | C12H20O4 |
| Molar mass | 200.25 g/mol |
| Appearance | Colorless transparent oily liquid |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Density | 1.04 g/cm³ |
| Solubility in water | Insoluble |
| log P | 1.72 |
| Vapor pressure | 0.01 mmHg (20 °C) |
| Acidity (pKa) | 6.7 |
| Basicity (pKb) | pKb: 9.45 |
| Magnetic susceptibility (χ) | -7.41×10⁻⁶ cm³/mol |
| Refractive index (nD) | 1.4240 |
| Viscosity | 15 - 20 mPa.s (at 25°C) |
| Dipole moment | 2.62 D |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std molar entropy (S⦵298) | 387.24 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ |
| Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298) | -600.9 kJ/mol |
| Std enthalpy of combustion (ΔcH⦵298) | -3366 kJ/mol |
| Pharmacology | |
| ATC code | NO ATC |
| Hazards | |
| GHS labelling | GHS07, GHS08 |
| Pictograms | GHS07,GHS08 |
| Signal word | Warning |
| Hazard statements | H302, H315, H319 |
| Precautionary statements | P261, P280, P305+P351+P338, P337+P313 |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | NFPA 704: "1-1-0 |
| Flash point | 163 °C |
| Autoignition temperature | 343°C |
| Lethal dose or concentration | LD50 (oral, rat): 8670 mg/kg |
| LD50 (median dose) | LD50 (median dose): Oral, rat: 8100 mg/kg |
| NIOSH | NIOSH: OP0350000 |
| PEL (Permissible) | Not established |
| REL (Recommended) | 10 ppm |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds |
Dibutyl fumarate
Dimethyl maleate Diethyl maleate Dioctyl maleate Maleic anhydride |
