ABSTRACT
Butanediol is a colorless and odorless liquid chemical with a very high boiling point and low freezing point. It is largely used as a monomer for polymer synthesis. The commercial applications of this diol are not limited to the manufacture of butadiene, or to its use as an antifreeze agent [1]. It is known as 2,3-butylene glycol, a valuable chemical feedstock because of its application as a solvent, a liquid fuel, and as a precursor of many synthetic polymers and resins. With a heating value of 27,200 J/g, 2,3-butanediol compares favorably with ethanol (29,100 J/g) and methanol (22,100 J/g) for use as a liquid fuel and fuel additive. Dehydration of 2,3-butanediol yields the industrial solvent methyl ethyl ketone. Further dehydration yields 1,3-butanediene, which is the starting material for synthetic rubber and is also an important monomer in the polymer industry. Methyl ethyl ketone can be hydrogenated to yield high octane isomers suitable for high quality aviation fuels. Diacetyl, formed by catalytic dehydrogenation of the diol, is a highly valued food additive. A wide variety of chemicals can also be easily prepared from 2,3-butanediol [2].
