1-Butene
The linear four-carbon alpha-olefin supplied by Chelora Chemicals — the leading comonomer for linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) — exported from Indonesia by pressurised cylinder or ISO tank with full batch documentation on every shipment.
What 1-Butene is, and why buyers source it
A working overview of the compound's chemistry, its role as the leading comonomer for polyethylene, and the grade Chelora Chemicals keeps in regular supply.
1-Butene is a linear alpha-olefin: a terminal carbon-carbon double bond at one end of an otherwise straight four-carbon chain. Having the double bond at the very end of the chain (rather than internally, as in 2-butene) is what makes it a well-behaved comonomer in coordination polymerisation — it inserts cleanly alongside ethylene to introduce short ethyl branches along the polyethylene backbone without disrupting the catalyst's activity.
At room temperature and atmospheric pressure it is a colourless, flammable gas with a faint, mild odour. Like the other C4 olefins, it is transported and stored either as a compressed gas in cylinders and tube trailers or as a pressurised liquid in bulk vessels and pipelines.
Where it fits in the value chain
1-Butene's dominant end use is as a comonomer in the manufacture of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) and certain high-density polyethylene (HDPE) grades: copolymerising a small proportion of 1-butene with ethylene introduces short-chain branching that controls the resin's density, flexibility and film-forming properties without the processing penalties of long-chain branching. Beyond its use as a comonomer, 1-butene is also oxidised to 1,2-butylene oxide, used in surfactant and lubricant-additive chemistry, hydrated to secondary butyl alcohol, and alkylated with isobutane to high-octane alkylate gasoline blending components.
Grade we supply
Chelora Chemicals offers 1-Butene in polymer grade (99.5%+ purity), suited to LLDPE/HDPE comonomer use and the butylene oxide and alkylate chemistry described above. The grade is supplied with a batch-wise certificate of analysis.
How 1-Butene 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-Butene is recovered from the mixed C4 fraction of steam crackers and, to a lesser extent, refinery fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) units, alongside isobutylene, 2-butenes and butadiene. Once butadiene has been extracted and isobutylene removed (typically via the MTBE route described for that product), the remaining linear butenes are separated from one another by careful fractional distillation, since 1-butene's boiling point is close to, but distinguishable from, that of the 2-butene isomers.
Because cracker-derived supply of polymer-grade 1-butene is limited relative to LLDPE demand, a substantial share of merchant 1-butene is produced on-purpose by selective dimerisation of ethylene over a homogeneous catalyst (commonly a triethylaluminum-based system), which converts two ethylene molecules directly into one 1-butene molecule without needing a mixed C4 stream at all.
Industries and processes that use it
1-Butene is consumed overwhelmingly as a polyethylene comonomer, with secondary demand from butylene oxide and alkylate-gasoline chemistry. The fields below account for most of the demand we see through our export desk.
LLDPE / HDPE Comonomer
Copolymerised with ethylene in small proportion to introduce short-chain branching, controlling density, flexibility and film clarity in LLDPE and select HDPE grades.
1,2-Butylene Oxide Chain
Oxidised to 1,2-butylene oxide, used in surfactant, lubricant-additive and specialty-solvent chemistry.
Secondary Butyl Alcohol
Hydrated to sec-butyl alcohol, used as a solvent and as an intermediate for methyl ethyl ketone.
Alkylate Gasoline Component
Alkylated with isobutane to produce high-octane alkylate, a clean-burning gasoline blending component.
How the molecule is typically carried forward
The terminal double bond and straight-chain backbone govern almost all of this molecule's further reaction chemistry. Reaction classes below account for most of the ways 1-Butene is converted into a finished polymer or intermediate.
Coordination Copolymerisation
The terminal double bond inserts into a growing polyethylene chain under a Ziegler-Natta or metallocene catalyst, introducing a short ethyl branch at each insertion point.
Catalytic Oxidation
Reaction with an oxidant epoxidises the double bond, giving 1,2-butylene oxide.
Acid-Catalysed Hydration
Addition of water across the double bond under acid catalysis gives secondary butyl alcohol.
Acid-Catalysed Alkylation
Reaction with isobutane over a strong acid catalyst adds the double bond across the isobutane molecule, giving branched, high-octane alkylate.
1-Butene against other olefins we supply
Buyers sourcing 1-butene as a polyethylene comonomer often need the related branched C4 olefin or the parent C3 olefin from the same cracker/refinery streams. A quick reference to what else is on our regular supply list.
| Product | CAS Number | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Butene | 106-98-9 | C4 olefin | The product on this page — the leading comonomer for LLDPE and select HDPE grades. |
| Isobutylene | 115-11-7 | C4 olefin | A related branched C4 olefin recovered from the same mixed cracker/FCC C4 stream — 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. |
| Ethylene | 74-85-1 | C2 olefin | The olefin 1-butene copolymerises with, and the feedstock for on-purpose dimerisation to 1-butene — 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-Butene.
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.
Simple asphyxiant in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces by displacing oxygen.
Keep away from heat, sparks, open flame and all other ignition sources.
Flame-resistant workwear, gas detection and appropriate respiratory protection in confined-space work are the baseline for routine handling.
Handled as a compressed or liquefied gas; standard pressurised-gas handling precautions apply throughout.
Bond and ground all transfer equipment to prevent static discharge during loading and offloading.
Danger — GHS02 flammable and GHS04 gas-under-pressure pictograms apply.
This compound is an extremely flammable gas supplied under pressure, which may explode if heated, and acts as a simple asphyxiant in enclosed spaces by displacing oxygen. It must be handled with ignition-source control, gas detection 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 and handle as a compressed or liquefied gas, in pressure-rated cylinders, tube trailers or ISO tanks, away from heat, sparks, open flame and oxidising gases, with adequate ventilation at all times. Cylinders and pressure vessels should be inspected and re-certified on the schedule required by local pressure-equipment regulations. Re-check purity 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-Butene 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-Butene used for?+
02What is the CAS number of 1-Butene?+
03How is 1-Butene produced?+
04What purity grade does Chelora Chemicals supply?+
05Is 1-Butene hazardous?+
06Why is 1-butene preferred as a polyethylene comonomer over the 2-butene isomers?+
07What packing options are available?+
08How long does delivery take?+
09Can I get a sample before placing a bulk order?+
10Do you supply other C4 and C3 olefins as well?+
Need 1-Butene on spec, on time?
Send us your required purity, quantity, packing preference and destination port. Our desk quotes most enquiries within one working day.