2-Butyne-1,4-Diol stands out as a specialty material favored by industries looking for a reliable compound with strong chemical versatility. Recognized by its molecular formula C4H6O2 and structure HO–CH2–C≡C–CH2–OH, this compound draws attention among chemical engineers, researchers, and manufacturers because it brings both practical handling characteristics and strong reactivity at a molecular level. Meeting the standards under HS Code 2905399090 for global shipping, its molecular weight of 86.09 g/mol speaks to the compact and potent nature of the molecule. Across labs and plants, its form can shift between white crystalline flakes, fine powder, small pearls, or as a viscous liquid, depending on purity and storage methods. That’s a sign of both its adaptability and technical value, letting users match the form to their operational requirements.
Products derived from 2-Butyne-1,4-Diol range from pharmaceuticals to stabilized polymers, specialized coatings, and organic synthesis intermediates. It works as an essential raw material for vitamin production and helps drive advanced polymer processing where control over reactivity and purity is the entire game. It anchors the manufacture of herbicides and fungicides, showing up in the processing chain before hitting any shelves. Sometimes people don’t realize that behind household items and agriculture solutions, there’s a material like this—in powder, flake, or crystalline form—doing a lot of that early technical lifting.
A closer look under the microscope reveals a symmetric arrangement around its carbon triple bond, placing two hydroxyl groups at the terminal ends of its linear backbone. Its melting point hovers between 56 and 59°C, and it typically boils near 235°C. With a density around 1.066 g/cm3 at 20°C, it pours heavier than water, making handling predictable and storage requirements clear for the warehouse or the technician. It usually appears as a colorless to white solid crystal, easily mistaken for standard laboratory chemicals until it hits a reaction vessel. The solid flakes dissolve well in water and common organic solvents, expanding its reach into various applications without fuss over solubility bottlenecks.
2-Butyne-1,4-Diol gets packaged and shipped in solid and liquid states. Technically, you’re most likely to see it as processed flakes or a fine powder, sealed tightly to block out moisture and airborne contaminants. Crystal purity measures over 99% by assay from reputable suppliers, translating to a consistent reaction profile and minimized batch variability. Flake form means technicians can weigh and mix portions without unnecessary losses from dust, a real issue if a process line needs precise dosing at scale. A liquid or solution—often at defined concentrations in water or alcohol—supports larger batch processing in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries by making feeding into reactors fast and accurate.
Anyone with years in a chemical plant or a research lab watches safety sheets as closely as procurement lists. 2-Butyne-1,4-Diol demands careful respect for health and safety. It doesn’t fall into the category of high explosives or extreme toxins, but inhalation, contact, or ingestion brings moderate acute and chronic risks. It can irritate the eyes and respiratory tract if powdered forms go airborne, and direct contact with skin creates the risk of sensitization. Chemical gloves, goggles, and contained handling spaces become routine with this material. Storage needs cool, dry environments and separation from strong oxidizers to avoid hazardous reactions or decomposition. With any chemical meeting international shipping codes and regulatory standards, disposal and spill procedures become part of daily habit, not afterthoughts—these protocols protect workers, local water sources, and the communities around manufacturing zones. Emergency washing stations and robust ventilation systems line up in labs where this compound is common, in line with hazard designations as a harmful if misused chemical.
Producing 2-Butyne-1,4-Diol at scale starts with accessible petroleum-based chemicals, often routed through acetylene chemistry under mild-to-moderate conditions. The process chain brings up questions these days—about environmental impact, about the carbon footprint, and about cost control during swings in global petrochemical markets. Manufacturers searching for renewable or more sustainable feedstock options start with this kind of molecule, trying to shift the base material without sacrificing performance or purity for key downstream users. End customers in pharmaceuticals, electronics, and agriculture ask for certifications and traceable supply chain guarantees. Handling solutions and bulk materials in warehouses needs clear, readable labels, and training programs so that mistakes never drift from the theoretical to the real-world. Customers eventually want reliability: batch-to-batch consistency from their supplier and clear data on trace elements, physical characteristics, and regulatory fit for their finished products.
Long hours spent troubleshooting a process line or vetting material specs tune you toward what really matters with a chemical like this. A strong supplier provides a certificate of analysis, listing actual measured purity, trace heavy metals, moisture content, and batch origin. Analytical certificates give engineers peace of mind by reducing the risk of impurity-driven failures during upscaling or custom synthesis. Any reliable supplier of 2-Butyne-1,4-Diol stands up to audit, opening records and protocols for third-party or client review. Traceability, in chemical sourcing, is both insurance and a mark of trust built up with every successful shipment. I’ve seen how poor storage—or a casual approach to safety checks—can mean thousands of dollars in lost material or, worse, regulatory knocks on the door. That’s why customers with tight production margins want predictable lead times and robust containers resistant to humidity or accidental impact.
Demand grows around the world for high-purity intermediates that also answer to increasingly strict environmental and safety rules. Upgrading containment systems, switching to smarter air-handling, or developing detailed employee safety training stands out as practical ways to control risk at the plant level. Global cooperation on shipping, labelling, and chemical tracking reduces the risk of unintentional mixing or ill-trained transfers of hazardous materials. Companies who invest in safer packaging, digital traceability, and alternative raw materials future-proof their supply chains while giving their workforce some confidence that their daily jobs contribute directly to safer, cleaner operations both inside and outside the lab. Sharper focus on data collection, rigorous supplier checks, and honest risk communication with end-users mean this compound remains a backbone resource for advanced manufacturing, research, and specialty production.
