1,2-Butanediol


1,2-Butanediol is the organic compound with the formula HOCHCHCHCH. It is classified as a vic-diol (glycol. It is chiral, although typically it is encountered as the racemic mixture. It is a colorless liquid.

Preparation

It is produced industrially by hydration of 1,2-epoxybutane.
1,2-Butanediol is a byproduct of the production of 1,4-butanediol from butadiene, It is also a byproduct of the catalytic hydrocracking of starches and sugars such as sorbitol to ethylene glycol and propylene glycol.
This diol was first described by Charles-Adolphe Wurtz in 1859.

Applications

It has been patented for the production of polyester resins and plasticizers. It is a potential feedstock for the industrial production of α-ketobutyric acid, a precursor to some amino acids.

Safety

The LD50 is 16g/kg.