1,4-butanediol

1,4-Butanediol (CAS 110-63-4), commonly abbreviated as BDO, is a four-carbon diol used as a chemical intermediate and solvent across polymer, pharmaceutical, and specialty chemical manufacturing. It is a primary building block for engineering plastics, elastic fibers, and polyurethane systems, connecting raw material supply chains to high-volume industrial production.

BDO is a key monomer in the production of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and polyurethane, where it functions as a chain extender and diol component in both rigid and flexible formulations. In the manufacture of spandex and elastic fibers, it reacts with diisocyanates to control segment structure and mechanical performance. This ensures high durability and elasticity in the final product.

As a solvent and carrier in pharmaceutical and personal care manufacturing, BDO supports active ingredient delivery in topical and liquid formulations. It also serves as a precursor to gamma-butyrolactone and tetrahydrofuran. Both of these downstream industrial solvents are produced at scale for various chemical processes. BDO is supplied as a clear, low-viscosity liquid in bulk quantities including ISO tank, drum, and IBC formats.

Technical and industrial grades are the most common commercial forms, with high-purity grades available for pharmaceutical and specialty chemical applications. These meet rigorous industry requirements. Specifications typically align with customer-defined purity thresholds, with ≥99% purity standard for most industrial procurement. This ensures consistent performance across diverse manufacturing environments.