- ▸ Short-chain diol chain extender that builds the hard segment in cast PU and TPU elastomers
- ▸ Reacts with isocyanate to raise modulus, hardness and tensile strength
- ▸ Standard chain extender paired with PTMEG/polyester polyols
A grade-specific Safety Data Sheet (SDS) — with the complete hazard classification, handling precautions, and transport information — is supplied with every shipment and available on request. Confirm all safety and regulatory details against the SDS for your specific grade.
Request SDS →
1,4-Butanediol (BDO) is a major industrial diol intermediate and polyurethane chain extender — the feedstock for THF, PBT, GBL and a building block across polymers and coatings. Identity: CAS 110-63-4.
What it is
1,4-Butanediol (CAS 110-63-4, C4H10O2) is a clear liquid difunctional alcohol. It is a high-volume intermediate and a versatile difunctional building block.
Industrial uses
It is converted into tetrahydrofuran (THF), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) engineering plastic, gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) and pyrrolidones, and polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTMEG) for spandex and elastomers. As a short-chain diol it is a chain extender in cast and thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU), building hard segments, and a glycol component in coatings and adhesives.
Used with the isocyanates and catalysts in the polyurethane catalysts guide.
Forms, grades and handling
BDO is supplied as a clear liquid in drums, IBCs and bulk. Properties are typical reference values; the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for the lot you buy governs. Always consult the current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) before handling, and confirm regulatory status and suitability for your application and jurisdiction. Each lot ships with CoA, TDS and SDS.
Bulk supply and RFQ
RawSource sources 1,4-Butanediol direct from producers in bulk, with CoA, TDS and SDS per lot. Tell us the grade, particle size or specification and quantity you need, and we will quote it. Products are sold for industrial and professional use.
Typical Properties
Typical reference values, not a specification; the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for the lot governs.
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Chemical / class | Diol intermediate / chain extender |
| CAS Number | 110-63-4 |
| Molecular Formula | C4H10O2 |
| Molecular Weight | 90.12 g/mol |
| Handling | Refer to the current SDS |
Regulatory & registration requirements
- TSCA (US):
- REACH (EU):
- EC number: 203-786-5
Source: EPA TSCA Inventory (July 2025 release) · ECHA CHEM — retrieved 2026-07-12
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 1,4-butanediol (BDO) used for?
1,4-Butanediol (BDO, CAS 110-63-4) is an industrial diol used to make THF, PBT, GBL and PTMEG, and as a chain extender in cast and thermoplastic polyurethanes and a glycol in coatings and adhesives. RawSource supplies it for industrial use.
What does BDO do as a polyurethane chain extender?
As a short-chain diol, BDO reacts with isocyanate to build the rigid hard segments of cast and thermoplastic polyurethanes, raising hardness, modulus and heat resistance. The PU catalysts that drive these reactions are covered in the PU catalysts guide.
How is bulk 1,4-butanediol supplied and quoted?
RawSource supplies 1,4-butanediol in bulk with CoA, TDS and SDS per lot. Pricing is quote-based on grade, particle size/specification and volume; submit an RFQ with your application and quantity.
What is the REACH and TSCA regulatory status of 1,4-Butanediol (BDO)?
1,4-Butanediol (BDO) (CAS 110-63-4) is subject to U.S. TSCA Inventory requirements; supplying it into the EU requires valid REACH registration ((EC) No 1907/2006). RawSource cannot verify a third-party supplier's registrations — buyers should require documented TSCA and REACH compliance for their jurisdiction and volume (EC 203-786-5).