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CarCareTruth

n-Butyl Acetate

  • Fragrances
  • CAS 123-86-4
  • IUPAC: Butyl acetate

n-Butyl Acetate (CAS 123-86-4) appears in 7 of the 2,122 car-care products CarCareTruth tracks (as of August 2026). It is classified as a VOC.

Mild irritant at high concentrations (occupational settings); at trace fragrance-use levels in car care products no health concern. Not Prop 65 listed. Not a known asthmagen.

n-Butyl acetate is an ester used widely as a fragrance ingredient (banana/fruity notes) and in industrial coatings as a solvent. In car care products it appears at trace concentrations as a fragrance component. It is a VOC under EPA definitions but at the sub-percent concentrations present in quick detailers it contributes negligibly to the product's overall VOC level.

Readily biodegradable. No aquatic toxicity classification at use concentrations.

Health & environment profile

VOC
yes
Prop 65 listed
no
Asthmagen
no
EPA Safer Choice
no
Aquatic toxicity
no
Biodegradable
yes
Bioaccumulative
no
Persistent
no
Ozone depleting
no
Microplastic
no
PFAS
no
Purpose: Fragrance component — fruity, banana-like scent note; also a mild solvent at higher concentrations

Common questions about n-Butyl Acetate

What is n-Butyl Acetate used for in car care?
Fragrance component — fruity, banana-like scent note; also a mild solvent at higher concentrations
Is n-Butyl Acetate a VOC?
Yes. n-Butyl Acetate is classified as a volatile organic compound (VOC).
Is n-Butyl Acetate on California's Proposition 65 list?
No. n-Butyl Acetate is not on California's Proposition 65 list.
Is n-Butyl Acetate biodegradable?
Yes. n-Butyl Acetate has a confirmed biodegradable profile.

7 products contain this

Related

Health and environment notes translate the manufacturer Safety Data Sheet, the GHS classification, and authoritative regulatory listings (California Prop 65, EPA). Not medical advice. They describe the ingredient itself; whether a hazard applies to a finished product depends on its concentration and how it's used.