Dibutyl Sulfide: From Industrial Niche to Modern Applications
Historical Development
Dibutyl sulfide, known to chemists for over a century, found its earliest uses among research teams exploring the growing variety of sulfur-organic compounds. Back in the twentieth century, demand bloomed not from consumer markets, but from industry and laboratories experimenting with new solvents and extractants. Its role expanded as chemical manufacturing stretched, linked closely with the rise of organosulfur chemistry and the search for reliable building blocks. Across generations, chemists continued tinkering with synthetic routes and handling protocols, shaping standards that set today’s expectations for purity and performance.
Product Overview
In practice, dibutyl sulfide works as a colorless liquid, barely noticed outside professional circles, but relied upon in many processes where strong, stable specialty solvents matter. Many industry hands remember the sharp, penetrating odor that sets it apart—a hallmark of organosulfur chemistry. Its presence in solvent extraction, especially where unusual temperature or stability are required, carves a permanent space for this molecule on the shelf of specialty solvents. Producers rarely sell it in small bottles for bench top chemistry; most orders fill drums and tankers for heavy users in oil refining and separation labs.
Physical & Chemical Properties
This liquid, with a boiling point hovering near 185°C and a relatively low melting point, stands out for its stable behavior under moderate temperatures and resistance to water. A notable density, higher than water but still within handling norms, combines with immiscibility—making it easy to separate in extraction workflows. As a non-polar solvent, it shows good solubility with many hydrocarbons and organic liquids. Structurally, two butyl chains hanging from a central sulfur atom give it flexibility, both in reaction chemistry and physical blending. Chemical inertness toward many common reagents contributes to its reputation for thermal and chemical stability, drawing interest where reliability trumps cost.
Technical Specifications & Labeling
Manufacturers usually supply technical grade dibutyl sulfide at purities above 98%, with strict controls on moisture, acidity, and residual contaminants. Labels must call out its hazard potential, especially relating to flammability and the pungent, persistent odor. Packing often favors tight, sealed metal drums or thick-walled plastic containers to hold vapors and withstand rough handling. Today’s responsible suppliers attach each batch to a certificate of analysis, noting exact purity, color, water content, and residue levels, which training sessions teach workers to check before use. Safety data sheets accompany each shipment, reading more like manuals than warnings, with clear labeling on both the container and shipping documents.
Preparation Method
Classic syntheses start with butyl bromide and sodium sulfide, relying on reliable nucleophilic substitution reactions that generate dibutyl sulfide alongside sodium bromide as byproduct. Some makers prefer indirect methods, converting other butyl sulfur intermediates before a final purification and drying stage. In my time in a small pilot plant, the smell told everyone once the extraction step started, demanding swift ventilation and careful work practices. The real trick lies in removing tiny sulfur-containing impurities and traces of butyl mercaptans, which can turn a high-value product into a regulatory headache if left unchecked. Established distillation techniques using fractional columns, coupled with modern vacuum systems, draw on decades of improvement in separation science.
Chemical Reactions & Modifications
Dibutyl sulfide, compared to many other organic sulfides, resists easy modification. It handles mild oxidants fairly well, but persistent use of strong agents swaps the sulfur center out for sulfoxide or sulfone derivatives—each bringing their own suite of possibilities and hazards. Catalysts can sometimes cleave the sulfide bond to release butyl fragments, though such pathways rarely matter in most facilities where stability counts. On rare occasions, chemists exploit these properties to generate specialty flavors and fragrances, or as test substrates in mechanistic studies of sulfur chemistry. A few research teams in academic labs, especially those studying desalination or extraction, tweak dibutyl sulfide as a model compound before piloting larger, more expensive systems.
Synonyms & Product Names
A bottle in the storeroom might carry names like “n-butyl sulfide”, “dibutyl thioether”, or simply “DBS”, though only seasoned users recognize all the common trade forms. Each supplier uses a slightly different label, sometimes borrowing historical trade names that predate harmonized nomenclature, sometimes following the systematic line drawn by IUPAC rules. Regulatory paperwork keeps track of all these variants, tracing safety profiles and hazard communication back to a familiar core—dibutyl sulfide in its various purities and grades.
Safety & Operational Standards
Anyone tasked with handling dibutyl sulfide learns about its hazards on day one. Flammability commands respect, demanding rigorous control of ignition sources, static, and vapor clouds. Ventilation becomes non-optional, not just to tame the odor, but to meet occupational exposure limits—a concern that drives many plant upgrades and safety reviews. The compound’s tendency to linger on clothes and skin earns it a spot in many spill drills. Personal protective equipment runs standard: splash goggles, chemical-resistant gloves, and a solid apron or secondary suit in busy settings. Emergency responders train on real scenarios that simulate handling errors or accidental releases, and regular education campaigns keep everyone alert to evolving best practices.
Application Area
Few outside industrial circles realize how often dibutyl sulfide shows up in petroleum refineries or solvent extraction plants. Its resistance to thermal breakdown and ability to dissolve stubborn organic residues help unlock rare earths, precious metals, or specialty oils from stubborn matrices. In environmental labs, selective solvent properties allow analysts to extract certain contaminants or reaction intermediates unavailable with other solvents. Some smaller specialty sectors—such as the production of high-grade flavor and fragrance intermediates—use it in precisely controlled syntheses, banking on its chemical behavior to steer reactions. In my experience with refinery turnarounds, even seasoned engineers often rely on it without flashy marketing; the value comes through practical reliability, not broad-based buzz.
Research & Development
Research efforts today aim at both greener synthesis pathways and enhanced safety data. Teams investigate alternative feedstocks that cut hazardous byproducts, with some projects switching to renewable alcohol and sulfur sources. Analytical labs, often working with regulatory agencies, focus on trace impurity detection, helping buyers trust what arrives on their dock. Detailed studies examine possible uses in new separation processes, such as rare earth extraction systems where established solvents face tighter restrictions. Partnerships with equipment suppliers stand out, with both sides eager to squeeze greater efficiency from existing flowsheets. Meanwhile, university programs treat dibutyl sulfide as a reference molecule, valuable for teaching separations or studying sulfur chemistry mechanisms in upper-level labs.
Toxicity Research
Studies dating back decades hammer on the low-level toxicity associated with organosulfur compounds like dibutyl sulfide. Acute exposures can hit sensitive users with headaches or respiratory symptoms, but longer-term studies in animals signal low bioaccumulation compared to related aromatics. Modern toxicologists probe for subtle chronic effects—nervous system impacts, possible carcinogenicity, or allergies—while workplace studies monitor real exposure levels against evolving health standards. New regulations, including stricter classifications for flammable and hazardous substances, push companies to study spill behavior and long-term storage effects more closely than in past eras. In my own plant experience, regular air sampling and medical surveillance became routine, often exceeding formal requirements as trust-building measures between management and labor teams.
Future Prospects
Whether dibutyl sulfide grows in importance depends on how industries adapt to sustainable chemistry trends. If renewable synthesis methods become practical and economically viable, adoption could spike, especially if regulatory agencies restrict more hazardous sulfides or worrisome alternatives. Engineers exploring advanced separation technologies find value in its unique solvent characteristics, though volatility and odor remain barriers for expansion outside controlled operations. Ongoing academic studies searching for less toxic, more biodegradable alternatives may supplant current uses in the long arc of green chemistry. But in heavy industry, and especially in niches requiring robust, reliable solvents, dibutyl sulfide likely continues quietly enabling technical progress out of the spotlight—lived experience showing that reliability and established practice still matter, even as standards and requirements shift.
Applications You Might Not Expect
Dibutyl sulfide rarely ends up on most people’s radar. Folks in chemical manufacturing circles may know about it, but for everyone else, it stays behind the scenes. This colorless liquid with a sulfur kick finds its way into a surprising mix of industries. I first ran into it while talking with an old friend who works in industrial cleaning products. Companies use dibutyl sulfide as a solvent, especially for some heavy-duty waxes and resins. Those waxes don’t break down in just any liquid, so manufacturers need chemicals like this one to clean their equipment or make their products more workable.
Role in Oil and Gas
Tracing dibutyl sulfide’s footprint lands you right in the oil and gas fields. Folks here want to extract as much value from fossil fuels as possible. This chemical helps test how effective catalysts are during the refining process. Lab techs add dibutyl sulfide to a reaction and see how quickly it transforms under different conditions. Some people might miss the connection, but this testing means your gasoline runs cleaner and the environmental impact drops a notch. If these testing steps skip a beat, quality goes downhill fast.
Electrical and Electronic Uses
Another use that jumped out to me involves electronics. Dibutyl sulfide doesn’t conduct electricity, so producers sometimes use it as a dielectric fluid in transformers. That’s the kind of thing that keeps power running smoothly when you flick a light switch. More interesting yet, it acts as a solvent for certain polymers and specialized lubricants needed in delicate circuit board work. With so many devices relying on compact, high-performing parts, the right chemical support keeps everything humming along.
Some Risks Lurk
This chemical packs a sulfurous smell that’s impossible to miss. That odor alone signals caution. Workers handling dibutyl sulfide risk skin and eye irritation if they skip proper protective gear. Researchers flagged concerns years ago about inhalation, and manufacturers have since dialed in safety guidelines. Strict controls help, but no system is perfect. Thankfully, spill response training usually limits harm. If someone mishandles this chemical in a processing plant or lab, the smell itself warns everyone pretty quickly, but regular training easily keeps serious injuries at bay.
Quality Counts in Manufacturing
I’ve heard suppliers talk about the cost of purity. In the world of chemicals, tiny impurities trigger bigger headaches down the line. A low-quality batch means workers must filter and reprocess things, which drives costs up and delays production. Getting dibutyl sulfide that’s up to standard cuts down on all of that. The push for better transparency now has most reputable suppliers providing detailed analysis sheets. In day-to-day work, that makes a difference you can count on. Knowing what’s in your product saves time and money, and it keeps everyone safer around the warehouse and on the production line.
What Happens Next?
Green chemistry keeps gaining ground, and demand for safer solvents isn’t fading. Some labs and manufacturers now search for replacements with less odor or toxicity. Research into biodegradable alternatives picks up speed every year. I think it’s smart for companies to weigh the benefits of dibutyl sulfide against its safety and environmental footprint. Until those alternatives become more affordable and scalable, industries still depend on chemical standbys like this. For now, strong training, good ventilation, and a watchful eye on purity keep things running as smoothly as possible.
Understanding What You're Handling
Dibutyl sulfide usually pops up in chemical labs or industrial operations. Few folks outside those industries talk about it, but its strong smell is hard to forget. Long days next to this stuff can cause problems—you might notice headaches or find it hard to breathe. Not everyone realizes how quickly a simple chemical can mess up your day. I remember walking past an open bottle, thinking the odor couldn’t do much. My scratchy throat told the real story. Breathing those fumes? Not worth the risk.
Protecting Your Skin and Eyes
Even a splash will burn if it hits your skin or eyes. That sharp pain sticks with you, and in worse cases, makes you reach for an eyewash station fast. Working with dibutyl sulfide means gloves, goggles, and a lab coat—no exceptions. We had one rookie skip gloves to grab a container. It took days for the rash on his hands to fade away. Want to stay safe? Keep that protective gear close for every task, big or small.
Keeping Fumes Out of Your Lungs
Those heavy vapors like to hang low and linger. If you don’t have good ventilation, you’re asking for trouble. A well-running fume hood isn’t just a suggestion—it keeps your air clean. I’ve seen teams forget to double-check the airflow, trusting old equipment. One day the vent fan failed, and by the end of a short shift, more than one person felt lightheaded. Simple checks each morning can save time and prevent much bigger headaches, literally.
Spills: Fast Actions Matter
Spills do happen, even for folks who’ve worked with chemicals for years. That strong odor gives it away instantly, but letting it linger spreads risk through the whole space. Always have spill kits ready—absorbent pads, gloves, and waste bags. We ran drills on small spills so nobody panics when the real thing happens. Quick cleanup, followed by washing the area with soap and water, keeps the risk contained. Toss those dirty rags in a chemical waste bin, not the regular trash.
Safe Storage Is No Joke
Lock containers somewhere cool and dry. Those cans shouldn’t sit out in the sun or next to a heater. I once spotted a drum left in direct sunlight outside a friend’s shop. Pressure built up so much it popped open, making for a nasty cleanup and calls to the fire department. Check labels and date everything, too. That simple habit keeps expired chemicals out of circulation and helps spot leaks quickly.
Training and Emergency Plans
New people join teams all the time, and not everyone reads every safety sheet. Good bosses walk the team through hazards every few months, showing what’s changed. Fire extinguishers, eyewash stations, and exits should be easy to find—not blocked by boxes or junk. Make sure everyone knows what to do during a spill or fire. That quick thinking makes all the difference when every second counts.
Looking Out for Each Other
Dibutyl sulfide won’t give you a second chance if you get careless. The best safety tips come from people who’ve had a close call and learned the hard way. Watching out for your team, double-checking your gear, and never skipping good habits keeps everyone heading home safe at the end of the day.
Chemical Formula and What It Means
The chemical formula of dibutyl sulfide is C8H18S. At first glance, that mix of numbers and letters might sound like trivia. But that formula matters far outside a textbook or a lab coat. Each element in it—carbon, hydrogen, sulfur—stands for something you would run into in real life, from the air you breathe to the fuel in your car. In my chemistry studies and later work in labs, formulas like C8H18S taught me to see connections between everyday things and those cryptic bottle labels you find in industrial parks or college storerooms.
Where Dibutyl Sulfide Makes a Difference
Dibutyl sulfide turns up in places where engineers and manufacturers want performance without fuss. This clear, oily liquid features strongly in lubricants, solvents, and reactions where stability and a good solvent are more useful than drama. During one summer job, I watched how the right solvent keeps gears moving or helps separate one compound from another. If someone grabs a can of dibutyl sulfide, they know what they want: resilience in heat and resistance to breaking down when life gets messy.
Health and Safety: Not Just a Checklist
Like most sulfur compounds, dibutyl sulfide brings hazards. The nose picks it up right away—a strong, unpleasant odor that signals you should be cautious. Breathing vapors in indoor settings can irritate the airways and eyes. My old workplace posted clear warnings and trained staff on ventilation and handling protocols. Everyone carried cheat sheets on what PPE to wear, how to clean up spills, and what to do if someone felt lightheaded. Beyond the rules, it built trust that coworkers would have each other’s backs.
Risks Beyond the Lab
Not all risks stop at the door. Improper disposal of chemicals, including dibutyl sulfide, can seep into waterways or soil. This matters whether you fish in creeks or just care that your town’s water stays clean. The Environmental Protection Agency and local authorities pay extra attention to sulfur compounds because they can trigger both short-term and long-term impacts on plants and animals. For my part, volunteer river cleanups showed me how hard it gets to undo pollution once it starts.
Solutions and Best Practices
Safe use always starts with basics—training, protective gear, and clear labels. But it runs deeper. Companies that build a safety culture—where anyone can shout “hold up” if something feels off—see far fewer incidents. Good labeling and up-to-date safety data sheets make it easier for workers to handle even unfamiliar chemicals with steady hands. Outside the factory, community programs for hazardous waste collection and public education can cut down the risks even more.
The Bottom Line
Dibutyl sulfide may never make headlines. Its formula, C8H18S, signals both power and responsibility. Getting to know these simple molecules teaches both respect for science and care for people. Whether on the shop floor or in city planning meetings, taking that extra step with chemicals pays off in health, safety, and trust.
A Down-to-Earth Look at Safety
Dibutyl sulfide looks like just another chemical name on a drum, but anyone who’s spent time in a lab or warehouse knows these clear or pale yellow liquids can cause real headaches if left to their own devices. I remember the first time a coworker shrugged off storing organosulfur compounds in a warm corner. Mislabeled containers, too close to an old space heater, led to strong odors and a quick review of our rules. Dibutyl sulfide deserves a little more respect because it's flammable and carries health risks if exposure happens often.
Ventilation and Fire Protection Aren't Optional
Fumes from dibutyl sulfide hang around, spreading a pungent smell and, over time, creating health issues for folks nearby. Good air flow in any storage area beats fancy equipment. Open a window if that's all you have, though proper chemical fume hoods and forced ventilation always do a better job. Flammable liquids need distance from flames and heat sources. One spark in the wrong place can ruin more than storage records. Fire cabinets and clear “No Smoking” signs send a real signal about where priorities lie.
Containers and Labeling: Little Steps, Big Impact
Anyone who’s worked in chemical stockrooms knows metal containers add extra protection, but they also corrode if left unchecked. Strong, tight-sealing plastic or glass bottles can work well for short-term use. All too often, people forget to check for cracks or loose caps, so leaks create sneaky hazards. Use fresh labels every time a drum's topped up, with product name, date, and hazard warnings up front. There’s nothing worse than guessing what’s inside a stained bottle.
Spill Kits and Emergency Plans Matter
Neglecting spill kits because “it won’t happen here” never pays off. In some smaller shops, mop buckets and baking soda sit in for proper spill gear, but chemical spills don’t play by those rules. Absorbent pads and neutralizers should sit near where dibutyl sulfide stays parked. Everyone should know where the eyewash and safety showers live, even those stopping by for one delivery shift. Simple checklists can save a frantic search when time’s short.
Temperature, Moisture, and Company
One hot summer, I watched a drum of dibutyl sulfide sweat out tiny, oily beads because the storage room air conditioning failed for two straight days. This stuff prefers cooler, dry spots — extra heat just increases vapor risks and shortens shelf life. It makes sense to keep dibutyl sulfide well away from oxidizers, strong acids, or anything else that rips into organic molecules. Shelving systems should stand sturdy, with no chance of stacking mishaps or snowball effects during an earthquake or after hours confusion. An organized space makes life easier when handling any process hazard analysis or cleanup after minor leaks.
Training: The Real Solution
No amount of fancy signage or color-coded drums beats basic training. I’ve seen new workers ask the right question at the right time and catch mistakes before they grew into bigger problems. Everyone handling dibutyl sulfide should know what to do in a pinch, and regular drills keep routines fresh. Safety culture never starts with a rulebook; it begins with watching out for each other, knowing which chemicals share the same corner, and building good habits every shift.
What Is Dibutyl Sulfide?
Dibutyl Sulfide shows up in a few corner industries, mainly as a solvent or intermediate in organic synthesis. Most folks never see or hear about it. If you’ve ever been near a chemical plant or refinery, the faint sulfurous smell on some days might have included traces of volatile organosulfur chemicals like this one. No one grows up thinking sulfur compounds are part of life, but their impact on the environment deserves attention.
How Dibutyl Sulfide Interacts With Nature
This chemical doesn't play nice with water. Toss it in a lake, and it doesn’t dissolve well. Instead, it floats on the surface and lingers much longer than, say, table salt. Some studies highlight its stubborn persistence in soils where oxygen is low or conditions stay cool. Throw in the fact that its vapors hang around longer on dry, windy days, and the local ecology faces a puzzle that can’t be ignored.
Concerns for the Ecosystem
Wildlife doesn’t adapt fast enough to chemical shifts driven by industrial activity. Dibutyl Sulfide can have toxic effects on aquatic life. Fish, amphibians, and the tiny critters at the bottom of the pond get hit hardest. Lab tests show reduced growth and behavior changes among exposed minnows; even at low concentrations, it disrupts natural feeding and swimming patterns. This means energy gets diverted from growth or reproduction toward simple survival.
Runoff from chemical storage sites or accidents during transport could spell trouble for rural streams and groundwater. The bigger issue comes from its breakdown products—once microbes start chewing up dibutyl sulfide, they sometimes create other sulfur compounds that are even more toxic. No one knows exactly how far these effects stretch, but the warning bells ring loud enough for responsible companies and regulators.
Air Quality and Human Impact
Anyone living downwind of a chemical plant doesn’t need convincing about sulfur odors. Even low-level exposure can create headaches and nausea. Research connects certain volatile organosulfur compounds to respiratory irritation, especially in folks with asthma or weakened lungs. Dibutyl Sulfide hasn’t earned the household-fume reputation of rotten-egg hydrogen sulfide, but that doesn’t make it harmless.
Long-term exposure stories haven’t filled the news, mostly because major spills remain rare and monitoring stays tight around known sources. Still, the uncertainty makes families jittery, especially where kids play outside or wells draw water close to older industrial sites.
Moving Toward Safer Practices
Closed-loop systems, real-time soil and water sensors, and better training for anyone handling Dibutyl Sulfide make sense. Regular checks for leaks and open communication with neighboring communities keep problems from turning into disasters. Reporting tools and environmental audits pack real weight when companies stay on top of them and don’t cut corners. Regulations help, but nothing replaces boots on the ground and people empowered to speak up.
Green chemistry circles often push for swapping out older solvents like Dibutyl Sulfide for less risky options. For most processes, alternatives exist, but transition takes commitment from both industry leaders and workers who’ll do the heavy lifting. The shift might add cost, at least at first, but the value of clean air, safe water, and trust in the system lasts much longer than a single fiscal year.
| Names | |
| Preferred IUPAC name | Dibutyl sulfide |
| Other names |
Dibutyl sulfide
Butyl thioether Dibutylsulfid NSC 11252 Butyl sulfide Di-n-butyl sulfide |
| Pronunciation | /daɪˈbjuːtɪl ˈsʌlfaɪd/ |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | [110-51-0] |
| 3D model (JSmol) | `JSmol` 3D model of **Dibutyl Sulfide** as a **string** (in **SMILES** format): ``` CCCCSCCCC ``` |
| Beilstein Reference | 1461117 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:64254 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL2212049 |
| ChemSpider | 15419 |
| DrugBank | DB14037 |
| ECHA InfoCard | 07dffb54-7e48-4934-b3f0-8e0c93affc2e |
| EC Number | 211-079-9 |
| Gmelin Reference | 62258 |
| KEGG | C08298 |
| MeSH | Dibutyl Sulfide MeSH: D003980 |
| PubChem CID | 8185 |
| RTECS number | EK8575000 |
| UNII | 4E1J9G7X4F |
| UN number | UN2249 |
| CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | DTXSID3020678 |
| Properties | |
| Chemical formula | C8H18S |
| Molar mass | 146.28 g/mol |
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow liquid |
| Odor | Unpleasant, nauseating |
| Density | 0.845 g/mL at 25 °C (lit.) |
| Solubility in water | insoluble |
| log P | 2.97 |
| Vapor pressure | 0.34 mmHg (25°C) |
| Acidity (pKa) | 19.0 |
| Basicity (pKb) | 4.78 |
| Magnetic susceptibility (χ) | -48.8×10⁻⁶ cm³/mol |
| Refractive index (nD) | 1.445 |
| Viscosity | 0.98 mPa·s (20°C) |
| Dipole moment | 1.20 D |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std molar entropy (S⦵298) | 309.3 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ |
| Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298) | -157.1 kJ/mol |
| Std enthalpy of combustion (ΔcH⦵298) | -7515.6 kJ/mol |
| Pharmacology | |
| ATC code | D10AX10 |
| Hazards | |
| GHS labelling | GHS02, GHS07 |
| Pictograms | GHS02,GHS07 |
| Signal word | Warning |
| Hazard statements | Harmful if swallowed. Harmful in contact with skin. Causes skin irritation. Causes serious eye irritation. Harmful if inhaled. May cause respiratory irritation. Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. |
| Precautionary statements | P210, P273, P280, P301+P312, P304+P340, P370+P378, P403+P235, P501 |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | 1-2-0-W |
| Flash point | 85 °C (closed cup) |
| Autoignition temperature | 355 °C |
| Explosive limits | Explosive limits: 1.1% to 6.6% |
| Lethal dose or concentration | LD50 oral rat 2100 mg/kg |
| LD50 (median dose) | LD50 (median dose): Oral (rat) 6000 mg/kg |
| NIOSH | WI5275000 |
| PEL (Permissible) | PEL (Permissible Exposure Limit) for Dibutyl Sulfide: 10 ppm (skin) |
| REL (Recommended) | REL (Recommended Exposure Limit) of Dibutyl Sulfide is "0.5 ppm (3.7 mg/m³) TWA". |
| IDLH (Immediate danger) | 100 ppm |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds |
Dimethyl sulfide
Diethyl sulfide Dipropyl sulfide Dibutyl disulfide |
