Pronunciation: [bjˈuːta͡ɪl] (IPA) 
The word "butyl" is spelled with a "b" and a "u" followed by the letters "t" and "y" and ending with an "l". In the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), this is transcribed as /ˈbjuːtɪl/. The "u" is pronounced as "oo" and the "y" is pronounced as "ih". The "t" is pronounced as a hard "t" sound, and the "l" as an "ell" sound. "Butyl" is commonly used in chemistry as a prefix to signify a four-carbon alkyl radical.
Butyl is a chemical compound that belongs to the alkyl group of organic compounds. It is derived from butane, a flammable hydrocarbon gas. With a molecular formula of C4H9, butyl generally refers to four different isomeric structures: normal butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, and tert-butyl. Each of these isomers is distinguished by the position of the carbon atoms in its molecular structure.
Due to its versatile nature, butyl finds various applications across multiple industries. It is commonly used as a building block for the synthesis of other important compounds such as butyl rubber, butyl acetate, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), and butanol. Butyl rubber, for instance, is widely employed in the production of tire inner liners, sealing materials, and electrical insulation due to its excellent resistance to heat, chemical substances, and air impermeability.
Additionally, butyl is utilized as a solvent for coatings, adhesives, and sealants, owing to its ability to dissolve various substances. It is also employed as a fuel additive, allowing for the production of cleaner-burning gasoline that contributes to reduced emissions. Furthermore, butyl compounds are used as intermediates in the pharmaceutical and fragrance industries.
Overall, butyl is an important chemical compound with diverse applications, ranging from rubber and polymer production to solvent and fuel additive uses. Its versatility and various isomers make it a valuable component in multiple industries worldwide.
A hydrocarbon radicle, C4H7.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "butyl" is derived from "butane", which is a hydrocarbon consisting of four carbon atoms bonded in a chain with the molecular formula C4H10. The term "butane" itself originates from the French word "but", meaning "end" or "target", as butane was initially obtained by distilling butyric acid. Butyric acid, on the other hand, is derived from the Latin word "butyrum", meaning "butter", due to its unpleasant smell resembling rancid butter. Thus, "butyl" is a shortened form of "butylène", a French term coined to refer to derivatives of butane, and it is used to describe a group of four carbon atoms bonded together in various chemical compounds.
