Methyl Isobutyl Carbinol

Brief Overview

Methyl Isobutyl Carbinol is a colourless organic liquid with the formula C₆H₁₄O. It is a acetone derivative in liquid state and has a very strong alcohol odour. It is slightly soluble in water and dissolves well in many organic compounds.

Manufacturing Process

Manufacture of Methyl Isobutyl Carbinol is prepared in a 3 steps process. First, diacetone alcohol is prepared by the condensation of acetone. The resultant diacetone alcohol is dehydrated to produce mesityl oxide in the second step. Lastly, mesityl oxide is hydrogenation into Methyl Isobutyl Carbinol.

Mining Industry

Methyl Isobutyl Carbinol is used as froth flotation in the mining industry to selectively separate valuable hydrophobic minerals from hydrophilic waste gangue. This technique is especially useful for separating a wide range of sulfides, carbonates, and oxides prior to further refinement. MIBC absorbs at the water-air interface, aids in the production of bubbles, and stabilizes the flotation froths.

Solvent Industry

It is used as a solvent for many products like dye, oils, natural resins, lacquers, froth flotation, fragrance, soaps, hydraulic fluid, etc. Methyl Isobutyl Carbinol is a latent solvent for coatings to adjust the cure rate, reduce viscosity, improve flow and levelling. Finally, MIBC is a non-hazardous solvent. It is due to the aforementioned abilities that it is widely used for making solvents and plasticizers.

Rubber Industry

It is also used in the manufacture of braking fluids and as a precursor for plasticizers.