Butyl oleate

Butyl oleate is a fatty acid ester and an organic chemical found in liquid form. It has the formula C22H42O2 and the CAS Registry Number 142-77-8. It is REACH registered and produced or imported into the European Union with the EC number of 205-559-6.

Synthesis and reactions
It is formed by the condensation of oleic acid and butanol often using an enzyme as catalyst or other biobased catalysts. Ionic liquids may also be used as the catalyst. It undergoes the Bouveault–Blanc reduction with oleyl alcohol and butanol as the products.

Alternative names
It is also known as Butyl cis-9-octadecenoate, Oleic acid butyl ester, butyl 9-octadecenoate and 1-butyl oleate. The IUPAC name is butyl (Z)-octadec-9-enoate.

Uses
It has approval for use as a food additive in Europe and also the US by the FDA. Various other uses include as a lubricant and lubricant additive, paints and coatings additive, and as a plasticizer especially for PVC. Similar to other fatty acid esters, it has found use in biodiesel and as a fuel additive.