1,3-Butadiene
The conjugated four-carbon diolefin supplied by Chelora Chemicals — the monomer behind synthetic rubber (polybutadiene, SBR and nitrile rubber) — exported from Indonesia as inhibited, pressurised liquefied gas with full batch documentation on every shipment.
What 1,3-Butadiene is, and why buyers source it
A working overview of the compound's chemistry, its foundational role in synthetic rubber manufacture, and the grade Chelora Chemicals keeps in regular supply.
1,3-Butadiene is a conjugated diolefin: two carbon-carbon double bonds separated by a single bond, arranged so the four p-orbitals overlap continuously along the chain. That conjugation delocalises the double-bond electrons across all four carbons, making the molecule unusually reactive toward both addition polymerisation and Diels-Alder cycloaddition — the chemistry that gives polybutadiene its elastomeric character and makes the molecule a versatile diene for ring-forming reactions.
At room temperature and atmospheric pressure it is a gas, handled and shipped as a liquefied gas under its own vapour pressure, with a mild, somewhat aromatic or gasoline-like odour. Because its double bonds are highly prone to spontaneous radical polymerisation on storage, commercial material is always stabilised with a polymerisation inhibitor, most commonly tert-butylcatechol (TBC).
Where it fits in the value chain
1,3-Butadiene's single largest end use is polymerisation to polybutadiene rubber (BR) and copolymerisation with styrene to styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), the two largest-volume synthetic rubbers, used overwhelmingly in tyre manufacture. Copolymerisation with acrylonitrile gives nitrile rubber (NBR), valued for its oil resistance, and gives the butadiene backbone of ABS resin. Hydrocyanation of butadiene is also an industrially important route to adiponitrile, one of the two building blocks of nylon 66 alongside hexamethylenediamine, while chlorination gives chloroprene, the monomer for neoprene rubber.
Grade we supply
Chelora Chemicals offers 1,3-Butadiene in polymer grade (99.5%+ purity), inhibited with TBC, suited to BR, SBR and NBR polymerisation and the wider diene-chemistry routes described above. The grade is supplied with a batch-wise certificate of analysis.
How 1,3-Butadiene is produced
An overview of the production route for orientation purposes. Our manufacturing partners' own process parameters and in-process controls are proprietary and are not disclosed beyond what is needed to interpret the certificate of analysis.
1,3-Butadiene is recovered overwhelmingly as a co-product of steam cracking: when naphtha or gas oil is cracked to produce ethylene and propylene, the mixed C4 fraction of the cracked gas contains a significant proportion of butadiene alongside isobutylene, 1-butene, 2-butenes and butanes. Because butadiene's boiling point is too close to those of the other C4 olefins for simple fractional distillation to separate it cleanly, it is recovered by extractive distillation, using a selective solvent (commonly N-methylpyrrolidone, NMP, or dimethylformamide, DMF) that preferentially dissolves the more polar, more unsaturated diolefin and leaves the mono-olefins behind in the raffinate stream.
The butadiene-rich extract is then stripped of solvent and purified by further distillation to the required assay before being stabilised with inhibitor and loaded under pressure. On-purpose routes, such as the catalytic dehydrogenation of n-butane or n-butenes, are also used in some regions to supplement cracker-derived supply.
Industries and processes that use it
1,3-Butadiene is consumed overwhelmingly by synthetic rubber manufacture for tyres, with significant secondary demand from ABS resin and nylon-intermediate chemistry. The fields below account for most of the demand we see through our export desk.
Polybutadiene & SBR Rubber
Polymerised alone to polybutadiene rubber (BR) or copolymerised with styrene to styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), the dominant synthetic rubbers in tyre tread and sidewall compounds.
Nitrile Rubber (NBR)
Copolymerised with acrylonitrile to nitrile rubber, valued for its resistance to oils and fuels in seals, hoses and gaskets.
ABS Resin Backbone
Provides the rubbery butadiene phase that toughens acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) engineering resin.
Adiponitrile / Nylon 66 Route
Hydrocyanated to adiponitrile, one industrial route to a key nylon 66 intermediate alongside the route via adipic acid.
How the molecule is typically carried forward
The conjugated pair of double bonds governs almost all of this molecule's further reaction chemistry. Reaction classes below account for most of the ways 1,3-Butadiene is converted into a finished rubber or intermediate.
Addition / Copolymerisation
The conjugated double bonds open under free-radical, anionic or coordination catalysis and add repeatedly, alone or with styrene or acrylonitrile, to build the polybutadiene, SBR or NBR polymer chain.
Diels-Alder Cycloaddition
The molecule acts as the diene component in cycloaddition reactions with a suitable dienophile, forming a new six-membered ring — chemistry used in specialty intermediate and fine-chemical synthesis.
Catalytic Hydrocyanation
Sequential addition of hydrogen cyanide across both double bonds, under catalysis, gives adiponitrile, a key nylon 66 intermediate.
Chlorination
Reaction with chlorine followed by dehydrohalogenation and isomerisation gives chloroprene, the monomer for neoprene synthetic rubber.
1,3-Butadiene against other olefins and diolefins we supply
Buyers sourcing butadiene for synthetic rubber chemistry often need the related C5 diolefin or the parent C2/C3 olefins from the same cracker stream. A quick reference to what else is on our regular supply list.
| Product | CAS Number | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,3-Butadiene | 106-99-0 | C4 diolefin | The product on this page — the dominant monomer in synthetic tyre rubber. |
| Isoprene | 78-79-5 | C5 diolefin | A related conjugated diolefin, the monomer for synthetic polyisoprene and butyl rubber — see its product page. |
| Ethylene | 74-85-1 | C2 olefin | The parent olefin co-produced in the same steam-cracking chain — see its product page. |
| Propylene | 115-07-1 | C3 olefin | A related olefin co-produced in the same steam-cracking chain — see its product page. |
Exact physical constants and purity specifications are confirmed per batch on the certificate of analysis — treat the notes above as a sourcing guide, not a specification sheet, for products other than 1,3-Butadiene.
Safety classification at a glance
Based on GHS classification as commonly listed for this substance. This is a summary for orientation only — always work from the current safety data sheet supplied with your specific batch.
Extremely flammable gas.
Contains gas under pressure; may explode if heated.
May cause genetic defects.
May cause cancer.
Can polymerise spontaneously and exothermically if the inhibitor is depleted or exhausted; inhibitor levels must be monitored in storage.
Flame-resistant workwear, gas detection and appropriate respiratory protection in confined-space work are the baseline for routine handling.
Handled as a liquefied gas under its own vapour pressure; standard pressurised-gas precautions apply throughout.
Danger — GHS02 flammable, GHS08 health hazard and GHS04 gas-under-pressure pictograms apply.
This compound is an extremely flammable liquefied gas, classified as a suspected human carcinogen and mutagen, and can polymerise spontaneously and exothermically if its inhibitor is depleted. It must be handled with ignition-source control, gas detection, inhibitor-level monitoring and grounded/bonded transfer equipment at all times. Full first-aid, storage, spill and PPE guidance is in the MSDS issued with every shipment, and should be read in full before this material is handled.
Keeping it on spec between delivery and use
General storage guidance for this grade. Site-specific storage rules, segregation requirements and re-test intervals should follow your own EHS procedures and the MSDS issued with your batch.
Store as a liquefied gas under pressure, inhibited with TBC, in a cool area shielded from direct sun and away from heat, sparks and oxidising agents, with the inhibitor level monitored periodically, since inhibitor depletion over time is the main driver of unplanned polymerisation in storage. Re-check inhibitor and peroxide content on any material held beyond its agreed retest interval before use.
How it ships from Indonesia
Standard packing and export terms for this product. Confirm exact figures against your order — they vary slightly by destination and quantity.
What travels with every batch
Specification is agreed before the purchase order, not discovered on arrival. Every shipment of 1,3-Butadiene leaves with a documented, checkable paper trail.
Certificate of Analysis
Batch-wise assay, colour and key physical constants, issued against the agreed specification so your QC team can check it, not just file it.
Safety Data Sheet
GHS-format SDS in English covering hazard classification, handling, storage, first-aid and spill response for the exact grade shipped.
Technical Data Sheet
Reference physical and chemical properties, recommended storage and typical applications, for internal circulation to your process or R&D teams.
Certificate of Origin
Confirms Indonesian origin for customs clearance and any preferential-duty claim at your destination port.
Dangerous Goods Declaration
UN packing group, classification and shipper's declaration prepared ahead of loading so documentation never holds up customs.
Third-Party Inspection
Independent pre-shipment inspection and re-sampling can be arranged on request, at your cost, for buyers who require it as a matter of policy.
Frequently asked questions
What buyers most often ask our sales desk about this grade.
01What is 1,3-Butadiene used for?+
02What is the CAS number of 1,3-Butadiene?+
03How is 1,3-Butadiene produced?+
04What purity grade does Chelora Chemicals supply?+
05Is 1,3-Butadiene hazardous?+
06Why does commercial butadiene always carry an inhibitor?+
07What packing options are available?+
08How long does delivery take?+
09Can I get a sample before placing a bulk order?+
10Do you supply other diolefins as well?+
Need 1,3-Butadiene on spec, on time?
Send us your required purity, quantity, packing preference and destination port. Our desk quotes most enquiries within one working day.