Technical specialties used in numerous industries
C4 oligomers (tri-n-butene, tetrabutane, tetrabutene)
Our oligomers are C4-based alkene and alkane isomer mixtures of different chain lengths. They are used as intermediates in the production of alcohols and organic acids, as solvents or base fluids in industrial water treatment (e.g. in paper production), in drilling oils and special cosmetic products.
What are linear oligomers and what are they used for?
Evonik offers the C4 oligomers tri-n-butene, tetrabutane and tetrabutene:
- Tri-n-butene is an alkene isomer mixture with a high proportion of branched C12 olefin isomers, which is used as an intermediate in the chemical industry (in particular for the production of isotridecanol and C12 alkanes) and as a fuel component.
- Tetrabutene is an alkene isomer mixture with a high proportion of branched C16 olefin isomers, which is used as a solvent and as a constituent and/or blending component in the production of lubricants, fuels and drilling oils, and as a solvent or base fluid in industrial water treatment (e.g. in paper production).
- Tetrabutane is an alkane isomer mixture (or kerosene mixture) with a high proportion of branched C16 isomers, which is used as a solvent and as a constituent and/or blending component in the production of technical oils (e.g. in metal processing), lubricants and drilling oils, and also as a solvent or base fluid in industrial water treatment.
A few technical details:
Due to the raw materials used and the production process, the presence of aromatics, heavy metals, chlorine and sulfur in all our C4 oligomers can be safely eliminated. Our tri-n-butene has a narrow boiling range due to its high C12 isomer purity and should be stored under exclusion of (air) oxygen. Stabilization (e.g. with BHT) is recommended. Our tetrabutene and tetrabutane have a wider boiling range due to the proportion of higher (> C16) isomers. Owing to the presence of microcrystalline kerosenes in tetrabutane, (reversible) clouding of the product may occur at low temperatures.
Here you can find additional product information (e.g. technical data sheet, SDS, etc.) on tri-n-butene, tetrabutane and tetrabutene.
Are you looking for a short overview about all our specialties? Have a look at our Specialties brochure.
Where are the C4 oligomers produced and how are they transported?
In our state-of-the-art C4 Verbund, we process various exclusively C4-based raw material streams from steam crackers and refineries, such as crude-C4 (so-called CC4) or FCC-C4 (fluid catalytic cracking-C4). The high C4 purity of the intermediates enables the production of particularly high-quality derivatives. The use of special purification and processing technologies e.g., safely eliminates any undesirable impurities. Our continuous production ensures constant and reliable availability of our products. C4 oligomers are produced on the basis of n-butenes at Evonik's production locations in Antwerp, Belgium (tri-n-butene and tetrabutene) and Marl, Germany (tetrabutane). Tri-n-butene is available exclusively in barges and seagoing vessels (minimum purchase quantity: 500 mt); tetrabutene both in barges and seagoing vessels and in tankers and tank containers; and tetrabutane only in tankers and tank containers.
How can you contact us?
Dr. Hinnerk Gordon Becker, Daniel Steidel and Sebastian Hotz are your contact persons for all matters concerning C4 oligomers. They will help you with any questions you may have on this subject. Are you interested in our products? Then contact Hinnerk Becker, Daniel Steidel or Sebastian Hotz by e-mail or via LinkedIn (Hinnerk Becker, Daniel Steidel, Sebastian Hotz).
