Colorless, transparent liquid with a specific odor.

Method of obtaining
The basic method in producing butanol, currently used in the industry, is the propene hydroformylation. The process uses homogenic catalysts being hydridcarbonyls of transition metals, for instance hydridcarbonylrod(I) complexes. With this method, a butanol and isobutanol mixture is obtained with 90-98% purity.

Application
Isobutanol is used in producing esters (solvents and aromatic substances), paints and varnishes (solvent, agent preventing turbidity, improving liquidity and reducing viscosity of water-soluble  paints), additives to plastics (plastifiers), melamine and ureal-formaldehyde resins (as a solvent or butylating agent), auxiliary agents for the agriculture (butylamines), floating additives, ethylene and propylene glycol ethers. It is also used as a solvent (textile, paint and varnish industry), extracting agent in drug production, component of anti-icing mixtures and anticorrosion additives.

Storage and transport
Isobutanol cannot be transported with strong oxidants and acids.
Store it in a ventilated room protected against static electricity – a discharge can cause the organic vapors to self ignite. The room must be cool and dry. Store the containers tightly sealed in a dry and well ventilated place. The tanks and containers must be made from n-butanol resistant materials. UN 1212 3 / PG III.

More information is available in the product data sheet, available at this address.