Butanedione
Description
Butanedione (CAS 431-03-8), commercially recognized as diacetyl, is a diketone compound used as a flavoring agent and functional ingredient across food, fragrance, and industrial applications.
Its characteristic buttery aroma profile makes it a reference material in flavor development and a target compound in quality control testing for various manufacturing sectors.
In food and beverage manufacturing, diacetyl (FEMA 2370) is used to impart butter, cream, and caramel notes in margarines, dairy analogs, and microwave popcorn coatings.
Flavor houses use it as a building block in complex flavor compositions where low-level dosing achieves high aromatic impact in confectionery products and baked goods.
In personal care, it contributes to fragrance blends targeting warm, gourmand, or dairy-inspired scent profiles. Its reactive diketone functionality also supports cross-linking applications.
This material is utilized in certain polymer and resin curing systems. Butanedione is supplied as a liquid, typically in drum and IBC quantities for industrial buyers.
Food-grade material is available to FCC specification, which is the standard grade for flavor and food manufacturing procurement and regulatory compliance.
Technical-grade supply is also available for non-food industrial uses including fragrance compounding and chemical synthesis for specialized laboratory and production needs.
Physical Properties
| Melting Point | -2.4 °C |
| Boiling Point | 88 °C @ Press: 760 Torr |
| Density | 0.990 g/cm³ @ Temp: 15 °C |
| Flash Point | 45 °F |
| Appearance | liquid with a butter-like odour |
| Color | Clear yellow |
| Odor | at 1.00 % in propylene glycol. strong butter sweet creamy pungent caramel |
| Form | Liquid |
| Water Solubility | 200 g/L (20 ºC) |
| Vapor Pressure | 52.2 mm Hg ( 20 °C) |
| Refractive Index | n 20/D 1.394(lit.) |
| Log P | -1.340 |
Safety & Handling (Learn More)
Trade & Regulatory
| HS Code | 29141990 |
| UN Number | 2346 |
| ADR Class | 3 |
| Packing Group | II |
| Storage Class | 3 - Flammable liquids |
| WGK (Germany) | 2 |
Documentation
Other Names
Dimethyl diketone|diacetyl|Butanedione [UN2346]|Butan-2,3-dione|Butadione|2,3-dioxobutane|2,3-Diketobutane|2,3-butandione
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