sec-Butylamine
The secondary-carbon butylamine isomer supplied by Chelora Chemicals — used directly as a postharvest fungicide for citrus and pome fruit, and as a pesticide-synthesis intermediate — exported from Indonesia with full batch documentation on every shipment.
What sec-Butylamine is, and why buyers source it
A working overview of the compound's chemistry, its unusual direct use as a registered fungicide, and the grade Chelora Chemicals keeps in regular supply.
sec-Butylamine carries a primary amine on the second (internal) carbon of a four-carbon chain, making the carbon bearing the nitrogen a stereocentre — the compound exists as (R)- and (S)- enantiomers, though it is traded commercially as the racemic mixture. Chemically it behaves as a typical secondary-carbon primary amine: a reasonably strong base and nucleophile, somewhat more hindered at the reactive carbon than the linear isomer n-butylamine.
At room temperature it is a colourless, flammable liquid with an ammonia-like odour, miscible with water and most organic solvents. It is handled with the solvent-class precautions typical of low-boiling aliphatic amines, with an added note of aquatic-hazard caution reflected in its hazard profile.
Where it fits in the synthesis chain
sec-Butylamine's most distinctive application, among the four butylamine isomers, is direct use as a postharvest fungicide: it is applied as a fumigant or dip treatment to control green mould and related storage rot on citrus fruit, and has also been studied and used on pome fruits and bananas, with residue behaviour documented in postharvest agricultural research. Beyond this direct fungicidal use, it is used in the production of other pesticide active ingredients and intermediates, drawing on the same reactivity any small secondary-carbon primary amine offers in amide- and urea-forming chemistry.
Grade we supply
Chelora Chemicals offers sec-Butylamine in technical grade (≈99% assay) for standard postharvest-fungicide and pesticide-intermediate use, and high-purity grade (99.5%+) for applications sensitive to colour and water content. Both grades are supplied with a batch-wise certificate of analysis.
How sec-Butylamine is made
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.
sec-Butylamine is manufactured industrially by reductive amination of methyl ethyl ketone (MEK, butan-2-one) with ammonia and hydrogen over a metal catalyst: CH₃CH₂C(=O)CH₃ + NH₃ + H₂ → CH₃CH₂CH(NH₂)CH₃ + H₂O. This route is directly analogous to the reductive amination routes used for other secondary-carbon amines, and gives the amine as a racemic mixture of its two enantiomers. The crude product is purified by distillation to the required assay before packing.
Why the MEK reductive amination route is favoured at scale
Reductive amination of methyl ethyl ketone uses a cheap, widely available feedstock and is continuous and scalable, which is why it dominates commercial sec-butylamine manufacture for both fungicide and intermediate-grade material.
Industries and processes that use it
sec-Butylamine is consumed by postharvest fungicide treatment of fruit and by pesticide-intermediate manufacture. The fields below account for most of the demand we see through our export desk.
Postharvest Citrus Fungicide
Applied as a fumigant or dip treatment to control green mould and related storage rot on citrus fruit after harvest.
Pome Fruit & Banana Postharvest Treatment
Also studied and used on pome fruits and bananas as a postharvest fungicidal treatment, with residue behaviour documented in agricultural research.
Pesticide Intermediate Chemistry
Used in the production of other pesticide active ingredients and intermediates drawing on its reactivity as a secondary-carbon primary amine.
General Amide & Urea Synthesis
Used in organic synthesis for amide and urea formation where this specific branched isomer is required.
How the molecule is typically carried forward
The primary amine's nucleophilicity and secondary-carbon shape govern almost all of this molecule's further reaction chemistry. Reaction classes below account for most of the ways sec-Butylamine is used directly or converted into a finished intermediate.
Direct Fungicidal Application
Used without further chemical transformation as a fumigant or dip treatment on harvested citrus and other fruit to control storage moulds.
Amide / Urea Formation
Reacts with acid chlorides, isocyanates and anhydrides to give the corresponding amide or urea, a step in some pesticide intermediate sequences.
Sulfonamide Formation
Reacts with sulfonyl chlorides to give the corresponding sulfonamide, used in some pesticide and pharmaceutical intermediate sequences.
Reductive Amination Chemistry
Condenses with aldehydes and ketones to give imines that are reduced to secondary amines, used in some fine-chemical sequences.
sec-Butylamine against its other butylamine isomers we supply
Buyers sourcing sec-butylamine often need to confirm it against one of its three other isomers, each with its own established industrial role. A quick reference to all four in our regular supply list.
| Product | CAS Number | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| sec-Butylamine | 13952-84-6 | Secondary-carbon amine | The product on this page — the only butylamine isomer used directly as a registered fungicide. |
| n-Butylamine | 109-73-9 | Primary linear amine | The unbranched isomer, used in benomyl fungicide chemistry — see its product page. |
| Isobutylamine | 78-81-9 | Primary branched amine | A branched isomer used in pharmaceutical and pesticide intermediate chemistry — see its product page. |
| tert-Butylamine | 75-64-9 | Primary branched amine | The isomer used in rubber accelerator and triazine herbicide chemistry — 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 sec-Butylamine.
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.
Highly flammable liquid and vapour.
Harmful if swallowed.
Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
Harmful if inhaled.
Very toxic to aquatic life.
Impervious gloves, chemical splash goggles or a face shield, and suitable respiratory protection are the baseline for routine handling.
Highly flammable; keep away from open flames, sparks, static discharge and other ignition sources, and bond/ground containers during transfer.
Danger — GHS02 flammable, GHS05 corrosive, GHS07 harmful and GHS09 environmental-hazard pictograms apply.
This compound is a highly flammable, corrosive liquid; it causes severe skin burns and eye damage, is harmful if swallowed or inhaled, and is very toxic to aquatic life. It must be handled with impervious gloves, splash-proof eye protection and suitable respiratory protection in a well-ventilated area, kept away from all ignition sources and out of drains and waterways. 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 in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight, open flames and other ignition sources, in tightly closed original packaging, segregated from strong oxidizing agents and strong acids, and kept well away from drains and waterways given its aquatic toxicity. If a batch is held past its retest date, re-check assay, colour and water content 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 sec-Butylamine leaves with a documented, checkable paper trail.
Certificate of Analysis
Batch-wise assay (by GC), colour and water content, 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 sec-Butylamine used for?+
02What is the CAS number of sec-Butylamine?+
03How is sec-Butylamine made?+
04What purity grades does Chelora Chemicals supply?+
05Is sec-Butylamine hazardous?+
06Is sec-Butylamine actually registered and used as a fungicide?+
07What packing options are available?+
08How long does delivery take?+
09Can I get a sample before placing a bulk order?+
10Do you supply the other butylamine isomers as well?+
Need sec-Butylamine on spec, on time?
Send us your required purity, quantity, packing preference and destination port. Our desk quotes most enquiries within one working day.