Bio - Based / Green Solvents, High-Purity Solvents

Gamma-Butyrolactone (GBL)

Gamma-Butyrolactone (GBL) is a hygroscopic, colorless, water-miscible liquid with a faint characteristic odor, serving as a critical chemical intermediate and solvent across diverse industrial sectors. Classified as a lactone, GBL is a four-carbon cyclic ester that exhibits remarkable stability under a wide range of thermal and chemical conditions. It possesses a high boiling point and low freezing point, making it an ideal candidate for high-temperature reactions and low-temperature storage alike. Chemically, GBL is highly reactive; it serves as a precursor to several important compounds, most notably 2-pyrrolidone and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP). Its molecular structure consists of a five-membered ring containing an oxygen atom, which contributes to its high polarity and excellent solvating power for both organic and inorganic substances. Due to its unique physicochemical profile, GBL is indispensable in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and polymers, where it acts as a high-performance solvent and a versatile building block for complex architectures

Attributes

Key Features and Benefits

High solvency power allows it to dissolve a vast range of polymers, resins, and inorganic salts effectively.
Exceptional thermal and chemical stability ensures reliable performance in demanding industrial processes and high-temperature reactions.
Exhibits low volatility due to its high boiling point, which reduces vapor emissions and enhances safety during handling.
Completely miscible with water and most common organic solvents, facilitating flexible formulation and easy process integration.
Acts as a biodegradable solvent with a relatively low toxicity profile compared to other chlorinated or aromatic hydrocarbon solvents.

Specifications

Technical Highlights

Molecular Formula: C4H6O2; Molar Mass: 86.09 g/mol; Appearance: Clear, colorless, oily liquid with a mild, distinct odor.
Boiling Point: 204 degrees Celsius (399.2 degrees Fahrenheit); Freezing Point: -43.5 degrees Celsius (-46.3 degrees Fahrenheit) at atmospheric pressure.
Density: 1.129 g/cm3 at 25 degrees Celsius; Refractive Index: 1.434-1.436; Vapor Pressure: 1.5 mmHg at 20 degrees Celsius.
Flash Point: 98 degrees Celsius (208.4 degrees Fahrenheit) via Closed Cup method; Autoignition Temperature: 455 degrees Celsius.
Purity Levels: Typically available in industrial grades exceeding 99.5 percent purity with strictly controlled moisture and acid content.

Download Technical Data Sheet (TDS)

Practical industry uses

Applications

Serves as a primary chemical intermediate in the production of pyrrolidones, particularly N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), used in battery manufacturing.
Widely utilized as a specialized solvent in the electronics industry for cleaning circuit boards and stripping photoresists in semiconductor fabrication.
Employed in the pharmaceutical industry as a reagent and solvent for the synthesis of vitamins, anesthetics, and various therapeutic agents.
Functions as a high-performance paint stripper and adhesive remover in industrial maintenance due to its ability to soften hardened resins.
Acts as a precursor in the synthesis of herbicides and pesticides, providing a stable platform for complex agricultural chemical formulations.