MALEIC ACID DIBUTYL ESTER DBM

CAS Number: 105-76-0
EC Number: 203-328-4
Molecular Formula: C12H20O4
Molecular Weight: 228.29 g/mol
Boiling Point: Approximately 280 °C at 1013 hPa; representative reduced-pressure boiling range 163–166 °C at 30 hPa.
Melting Point: Approximately −85 °C in current commercial reference data; technical-grade composition can affect low-temperature behavior.
Viscosity: Representative calculated dynamic viscosity 2.51 mPa·s at 20 °C; confirm a measured value if required for process design.
Density: Representative technical-product range 0.993–0.995 g/cm3 at 20 °C.

COMMON PRODUCT AND CHEMICAL NAMES

Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM
Dibutyl maleate
Di-n-butyl maleate
Maleic acid dibutyl ester
Maleic acid di-n-butyl ester
DBM
Dibutyl (2Z)-but-2-enedioate
1,4-Dibutyl (2Z)-but-2-enedioate
2-Butenedioic acid, (Z)-, dibutyl ester
cis-Butenedioic acid dibutyl ester

WHAT IS MALEIC ACID DIBUTYL ESTER DBM?

Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM is a low-molecular-weight, reactive liquid ester. Unlike a polymer dispersion or a formulated resin, it is a chemical building block that can be incorporated into a larger molecular structure through suitable reactions.
The most established industrial role of Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM is as a comonomer for internally softened vinyl acetate polymers. The resulting polymer is then formulated into an adhesive, coating or film-forming dispersion; the useful end product is therefore often a DBM-containing copolymer rather than the unreacted liquid ester.
Commercial DBM should be selected by specification rather than by name alone. A technical product may contain a controlled amount of dibutyl fumarate, and a reported total ester content may include both geometric isomers. These distinctions matter when reaction behavior or residual-monomer requirements are important.

CAS NUMBER, EC NUMBER AND CHEMICAL IDENTIFICATION

CAS Number 105-76-0 and EC Number 203-328-4 identify the di-n-butyl ester of maleic acid. The maleate designation indicates the cis, or Z, configuration of the central double bond.
Dibutyl fumarate is the corresponding trans, or E, isomer. It has the same molecular formula and molar mass but a different spatial arrangement, so it should be identified separately in analytical results and purchasing specifications.
DBM is also distinct from diisobutyl maleate, monobutyl maleate, dibutyl succinate and dibutyl phthalate. Changing the alcohol branching, esterification degree, double bond or acid framework changes the chemical identity and may change both performance and hazards.
The abbreviation DBM is useful within a defined chemical context, but it is not a unique identifier across all chemical industries. Include the CAS number when requesting samples, documentation or a quotation.

CHEMICAL STRUCTURE AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERISTICS

Dibutyl maleate has the condensed structure n-C4H9OOC–CH=CH–COOC4H9-n, with the ester groups in the maleate configuration. Both carboxyl groups are esterified, leaving no free carboxylic acid group in the ideal molecule.
The double bond of Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM is conjugated with the ester carbonyl groups, making it an electron-deficient reaction site. This supports addition chemistry, including selected copolymerizations, reactions with suitable nucleophiles and cycloaddition reactions with compatible dienes.
The two butyl groups provide hydrocarbon segments alongside the more polar ester groups. Their contribution to compatibility and segmental mobility helps explain why DBM can modify a polymer's flexibility while remaining only sparingly soluble in water as a free monomer.
Two ester groups do not make DBM a conventional difunctional vinyl crosslinker. Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM contains one polymerizable carbon–carbon double bond, and its role in a particular resin must be assessed through the actual reaction chemistry rather than inferred from the word diester.

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

The following values combine representative physical data with an explicitly identified example of a published technical-grade specification. Physical constants, calculated values and batch-release limits serve different purposes; they should not be treated as one specification guaranteed by Ataman Kimya.
Physical State: Liquid at 20 °C.
Appearance: Clear, nearly colorless liquid; absence of suspended matter is a useful commercial quality criterion.
Odor: Characteristic ester-like odor; odor is not a reliable exposure-control measure.
Molecular Formula: C12H20O4.
Molar Mass: Approximately 228.29 g/mol.
Carbon–Carbon Double Bonds: One per molecule.
Ester Groups: Two per molecule.
Normal Boiling Point: Approximately 280 °C at 1013 hPa in published technical-product information; reported values vary somewhat with source and grade.
Reduced-Pressure Boiling Range: Representative 163–166 °C at 30 hPa, equivalent to approximately 22.5 mmHg.
Melting Point: Approximately −85 °C in commercial reference information; an older assessment reports below −60 °C, so the value should not be used as a guaranteed freezing specification for every technical grade.
Density: Representative 0.993–0.995 g/cm3 at 20 °C, equivalent to 993–995 kg/m3.
Dynamic Viscosity: Representative calculated value 2.51 mPa·s at 20 °C, equivalent to 2.51 cP. This is identified as calculated in the published technical information rather than as a batch-tested viscosity limit.
Refractive Index: Representative nD20 of 1.445–1.446.
Vapor Pressure at 20 °C: Representative 0.0027 hPa, equivalent to 0.27 Pa.
Vapor Pressure at 50 °C: Representative 0.039 hPa, equivalent to 3.9 Pa.
Relative Vapor Density: Representative 7.87, with air = 1; actual workplace accumulation also depends on temperature and ventilation.
Water Solubility: Approximately 0.17–0.173 g/L at 20 °C, equivalent to approximately 170–173 mg/L.
Octanol/Water Partition Coefficient: Reported log Pow approximately 3.38 at 20 °C in an older assessment; this is not a finished-formulation partition measurement.
Organic-Solvent Compatibility: Published product information describes miscibility with methanol, ethanol, acetone, diethyl ether, dimethylformamide and toluene. Do not assume equivalent compatibility with every hydrocarbon solvent or mixed-solvent formulation.
Flash Point: A published EU SDS reports 120 °C by DIN 51758; other commercial references report 140 °C. Use the method and value applicable to the supplied grade, rather than treating these entries as a guaranteed operating range.
Autoignition Temperature: Approximately 280 °C in a December 2025 SDS; not a recommended operating temperature.
pH: Not applicable as an intrinsic pH value for the neat, poorly water-soluble ester; use acid number to characterize residual acidity.
Theoretical Saponification Value: Approximately 491.5 mg KOH/g, calculated for pure DBM assuming complete saponification of both ester groups. This is a stoichiometric reference, not a measured product specification or an acid number.
Representative Combined Ester Specification: Minimum 98.5% by mass for dibutyl maleate plus dibutyl fumarate in a published June 2025 technical-grade specification.
Representative Dibutyl Fumarate Limit: Maximum 5.0% by mass in that same technical-grade specification.
Representative Water Limit: Maximum 500 ppm by mass, equivalent to 500 mg/kg or 0.050% by mass, in that specification.
Representative Acid Number Limit: Maximum 0.20 mg KOH/g in that specification.
Representative Color Limit: Maximum 25 Pt-Co units in that specification.
Representative Appearance Requirement: Clear and free from suspended matter.
Inhibitor or Stabilizer Content: Grade dependent; obtain the actual product information rather than assigning a standard inhibitor concentration.
Shelf Life: Grade, purity, packaging, storage conditions and manufacturer dependent; use the supplied material's expiry or retest information.
A combined ester result of 98.5% does not establish a DBM-only assay of 98.5%. For reaction-sensitive work, require a chromatographic breakdown that distinguishes maleate, fumarate and other relevant components, together with the method used to report the result.

HOW DOES MALEIC ACID DIBUTYL ESTER DBM WORK AT THE MOLECULAR LEVEL?

In a suitable copolymerization, the double bond of Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM is consumed as the molecule becomes part of a polymer chain. Its ester-bearing, butyl-containing units then contribute to the properties of that chain rather than remaining entirely as a separate liquid additive.
This is the basis of internal plasticization. Incorporation of an appropriate comonomer can change segmental motion and reduce the excessive hardness of a vinyl acetate homopolymer, allowing the formulator to target a more flexible binder.
Chemical incorporation and complete conversion are different questions. Residual DBM can remain if the polymerization is incomplete, so reaction conversion and residual-monomer analysis are essential when assessing the actual product.
In other applications, the activated double bond acts as an addition site. The selected reaction determines whether DBM becomes a succinate derivative, an aspartic ester intermediate or another functionalized product; these derivatives have their own identities and specifications.

WHICH INDUSTRIES USE MALEIC ACID DIBUTYL ESTER DBM?

The principal industrial users are polymer, adhesive and coating manufacturers that need a reactive route to modifying binder properties. DBM is especially relevant to vinyl acetate emulsion copolymers intended for flexible films and related surface applications.
Specialty chemical manufacturers also use maleate esters as building blocks for addition reactions. Selected polyaspartic ester technologies explicitly include dibutyl maleate among possible starting diesters, while other synthetic uses exploit its electron-deficient double bond.
These are different stages of the value chain. A raw-material use in producing a coating binder or specialty intermediate does not establish that free DBM is suitable for direct addition to any finished consumer product.

DBM IN VINYL ACETATE EMULSION COPOLYMERS

An important application for Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM is the preparation of vinyl acetate-based latexes with a softer polymer phase. Vinyl acetate homopolymers can be too hard or brittle for a particular film or adhesive target, and incorporating DBM offers a way to adjust that behavior through polymer composition.
The practical objective is to change the properties of the binder itself. Published technical information identifies reduced glass transition temperature and minimum film-forming temperature, together with improved flexibility, as relevant effects in suitable vinyl acetate copolymers.

Glass transition temperature and minimum film-forming temperature describe different things. The former concerns polymer segmental mobility, while the latter describes the conditions under which a particular dispersion forms a continuous film. Both are useful during development, but they should be measured independently for the actual latex.
DBM must be introduced within a polymerization process designed for its incorporation. The behavior of Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM should not be assumed to match an acrylate comonomer at the same feed percentage, because monomer reactivity and the distribution of units along the chain can differ.
Development should connect the monomer feed to the final material: conversion, residual monomer, particle behavior, film formation and mechanical properties all matter. The same nominal DBM loading can give different results when the remainder of the monomer composition or the polymerization process changes.

DBM IN PAINT BINDERS AND WATERBORNE COATINGS

For a paint binder, DBM can be used upstream in manufacturing the copolymer dispersion that forms the continuous phase of the dried coating. The principal contribution of Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM is adjustment of binder flexibility and film formation, rather than a direct pigment-wetting function in the finished paint.
A less brittle polymer can be useful when a coating must tolerate movement or deformation without cracking. A lower film-forming requirement can also help the binder develop a continuous film under the intended application conditions, provided that the complete latex and paint formulation are suitable.
Softening introduces trade-offs that should be measured rather than overlooked. A binder designed for increased flexibility may require a different balance of hardness, blocking resistance and dirt pickup from a binder intended for a harder surface. Pigment loading, coalescing ingredients and the drying environment can all influence the result.

Published product information also describes improved hydrolytic stability in suitable vinyl acetate/DBM systems. Treat that as a formulation-dependent benefit: compare water exposure, wet adhesion and retained mechanical properties in the actual coating rather than presenting DBM as a universal waterproofing additive.
The useful commercial comparison is therefore between validated binder systems. A DBM-containing latex should be assessed at the same relevant solids, pigment conditions and film thickness as the alternative, with tests selected for the intended coating service.

DBM IN WATERBORNE ADHESIVES AND BINDING AGENTS

In a vinyl acetate adhesive, Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM can be used as a comonomer to adjust the flexibility of the polymer left after water evaporates. This is relevant where the bond line must accommodate bending or movement instead of becoming excessively brittle.
The adhesive's wet application behavior and its dry bond performance remain separate targets. Viscosity and spreading are influenced by the full formulation, while the copolymer composition contributes to the mechanical behavior of the dry adhesive layer.
For paper or other porous-substrate bonding trials, examine whether the adhesive penetrates appropriately while leaving enough binder at the interface. For flexible assemblies, assess peel behavior and repeated bending as well as initial bond formation. These are development criteria for a candidate DBM-containing adhesive, not guaranteed outcomes from a fixed monomer addition.

Internal plasticization can be attractive when the manufacturer wants the softening component attached to the polymer. However, covalent incorporation does not eliminate every possible source of migration or extractables: unreacted DBM, low-molecular-weight species and other formulation additives still require consideration.
An adhesive should therefore be evaluated for bond strength, creep, temperature response, water exposure and residual monomer according to its intended use. A more flexible film is useful only if it retains the cohesion required for the bond.

DBM IN FLEXIBLE FILMS AND SURFACE-TREATMENT BINDERS

DBM-containing copolymers are relevant to film-forming applications where flexibility is an important part of the specification. Here the aim is to produce a coherent polymer layer that can withstand the deformation expected during handling or service.
For a coated flexible substrate, a useful trial examines the coating after bending, folding or repeated movement. The binder must be flexible enough for the substrate while still providing the required adhesion and surface integrity.
Film performance should be distinguished from the behavior of free Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM. Adding an unreacted ester to a ready-made dispersion is not equivalent to manufacturing a copolymer that contains DBM-derived units, and it may introduce different compatibility, extraction and residual-material issues.
Where blocking or surface tack matters, assess the film under realistic stacking, pressure and temperature conditions. The desired balance of softness and cohesion depends on the application, so DBM content should be selected through binder development rather than a universal flexibility rule.

INTERNAL PLASTICIZATION AND PHYSICAL PLASTICIZER USE

Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM has been described as a plasticizer as well as a reactive comonomer, but these functions should be separated technically. In internal plasticization, the double bond reacts and the softening contribution becomes part of the polymer structure. In physical plasticization, the molecule remains a separate component distributed within a compatible resin.
The distinction affects permanence and testing. A physically blended material requires particular attention to compatibility, exudation and extraction, whereas an internally modified polymer requires confirmation of incorporation and residual monomer.
The established vinyl acetate copolymer route is therefore a different proposition from using free DBM as a general-purpose external plasticizer. Neither performance nor suitability should be transferred automatically from one route to the other.
For purchasing and formulation discussions, specify which role is intended for Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM. This determines whether the critical data concern comonomer composition and conversion or resin compatibility and retention of an unbound additive.

DBM AS AN INTERMEDIATE FOR POLYASPARTIC ESTER TECHNOLOGIES

Patent literature for polyaspartic ester systems identifies dibutyl maleate among suitable maleate or fumarate diesters. The underlying chemistry uses addition of suitable primary amines across an activated double bond to produce aspartic ester functionality.
The resulting amine-functional intermediate can be used in an appropriately designed coating technology, including systems that react with polyisocyanates. Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM is a starting building block in this route; it is not itself the completed polyaspartic resin or a ready-to-use curing agent.
The ester substituents, amine structure, reaction conversion and remaining reactive components influence the intermediate's behavior. A technology demonstrated with a diethyl maleate-derived resin cannot be assigned the same viscosity, pot life or cure performance merely by substituting DBM.
This is a specialty development application requiring a supported process and resin specification. It should be discussed in terms of the intended intermediate, its analytical requirements and the validated downstream coating system rather than as a universal DBM coating formula.

DBM IN ORGANIC SYNTHESIS AND SPECIALTY INTERMEDIATES

The electron-deficient double bond makes Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM a useful building block for selected addition reactions. The function of Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM in this setting is chemical transformation, so control of isomer composition and unwanted reactive impurities can be more important than a broad total ester figure.
DBM can act as a dienophile in suitable Diels–Alder chemistry, providing an ester-substituted framework in the resulting cycloadduct. The actual product and selectivity depend on the chosen diene and reaction system; the maleate ester is one reactant rather than a guarantee of a particular outcome.
Hydrogenation of the central double bond gives the corresponding dibutyl succinate framework. The butyl ester identity must be retained when naming that transformation: hydrogenation alone does not convert the material into dimethyl succinate.
Other addition-based derivatives may be developed where the activated alkene is useful. Each finished derivative requires its own identity, purity criteria and safety assessment, and no synthesis temperature, catalyst dosage or universal processing sequence is assigned here.

WHAT PROBLEMS CAN MALEIC ACID DIBUTYL ESTER DBM HELP ADDRESS?

In suitable copolymers, DBM can help address excessive binder hardness, brittleness and an unsuitable film-forming temperature. The useful outcome is a polymer composition better matched to its coating, adhesive or flexible-film task.
Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM also provides an option when a developer wants to compare internal modification with reliance on a separate softener. That comparison should include conversion, residual ester, extraction behavior and retained properties after aging.
As a chemical intermediate, DBM offers a defined activated alkene with two butyl ester groups. This can be useful when the desired derivative specifically requires that structure, rather than another maleate ester with different alkyl groups.
These benefits are conditional. Increasing softness is not automatically beneficial where creep resistance, surface hardness or blocking resistance is the dominant requirement.

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS WHEN USING DBM

Maleate/Fumarate Composition: Heat and acidic or basic conditions can promote isomerization of DBM to dibutyl fumarate. Define the acceptable isomer profile for the intended reaction and verify it chromatographically when necessary.
Hydrolysis: The ester groups of Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM can hydrolyze under appropriate aqueous acidic or basic conditions. Storage stability of the neat liquid should not be used to predict stability in every aqueous process or formulation.
Residual Monomer: Assess free DBM after polymerization. A low-volatility monomer is not necessarily absent from the final binder, and a low odor does not establish complete conversion.

Compatibility: Check the actual solvent, resin and monomer blend. Poor water solubility means that using DBM in an aqueous emulsion process requires an appropriate dispersion and polymerization design rather than simple dissolution in water.
Performance Balance: Compare flexibility with cohesion, hardness, creep and surface behavior. Use the test conditions relevant to the final application.
Process Safety: Review reaction heat, charging, ventilation and contamination controls for the complete process. Do not infer a universal safe reaction temperature from the normal boiling point or flash point.

STARTING FORMULATION AND DEVELOPMENT APPROACHES

For a vinyl acetate latex project, begin with a supported copolymerization platform and define the target film properties. Compare candidate Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM levels through controlled trials that measure conversion, residual monomer, glass transition behavior, minimum film-forming temperature and the properties of the resulting film.
For an adhesive project, evaluate the candidate binder in the intended adhesive formulation and on the actual substrates. Match the comparison conditions closely enough to distinguish the effect of binder composition from changes in solids, coating amount or drying.
For a coating project, connect the polymer measurements to finished-paint performance. Film continuity, flexibility, water response and surface hardness should be tested together rather than relying on a predicted glass transition temperature alone.
For a specialty intermediate, define the required reaction product and analytical endpoints before choosing a DBM grade. No unsupported initiator level, catalyst selection, feed schedule, reaction temperature or processing time is presented as a validated formula.

SIMILAR PRODUCTS AND ALTERNATIVES

Diethyl Maleate: A related unsaturated diester with shorter alkyl groups and a different molar mass. It can offer related addition chemistry, but volatility, compatibility and the properties of its reaction products differ from DBM.
Dibutyl Fumarate: The trans isomer has the same formula and molar mass. It is not automatically interchangeable in reaction-sensitive applications; specify whether it is an intentional raw material or a controlled component of technical DBM.
Acrylate Comonomers: Suitable acrylate esters can also modify binder softness, but their polymerization behavior and resulting copolymer structure differ. Equal feed percentages do not establish equal conversion or performance.

Vinyl Esters of Branched Carboxylic Acids: These provide another route to modifying vinyl acetate-based binders. Selection requires comparison of polymerization, film properties and water response within the intended system.
External Plasticizers and Coalescing Ingredients: These may adjust film formation or flexibility without introducing the same DBM-derived repeat units. Their persistence, extraction and emissions behavior must be evaluated according to their own chemistry.
Maleic Anhydride and Maleic Acid: These are chemically distinct starting materials with different functional groups and handling requirements. They are not direct mass-for-mass replacements for dibutyl maleate.

QUALITY CONTROL AND PURCHASING CRITERIA

For Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM, the most informative purchase specification connects chemical composition with the intended process. Request the actual maleate assay, the fumarate content and a clear definition of any combined ester result.
Water, acid number and color are separate quality measures. Water may affect moisture-sensitive chemistry, acid number reveals titratable acidity, and color can be important for pale binders or intermediates; none is a substitute for identity or assay testing.
Chromatographic analysis should distinguish the components relevant to the application. Where residual alcohol, partial esters or other process impurities matter, agree on the analytical requirement rather than assuming they are covered by the headline total ester value.
The TDS provides technical characteristics and application guidance, the SDS addresses safe use, and the batch COA records release results for the actual lot. Discuss required quantity, packaging, traceability and documentation with Ataman Kimya before selecting the supply option.
The representative June 2025 limits in this profile illustrate one technical-grade specification. They should not be presented as a universal market standard or a guarantee for an unspecified Ataman Kimya consignment.

STARTING FORMULATION APPROACHES FOR MALEIC ACID DIBUTYL ESTER DBM

The following examples illustrate how Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM can be evaluated during formulation and process development. These starting approaches are not validated commercial recipes, production instructions, or final formulations confirmed to comply with applicable regulations.
Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM, also known as dibutyl maleate or di-n-butyl maleate, is an unsaturated diester identified by CAS 105-76-0. Its maleate double bond supports copolymerization and addition chemistry, while its ester structure contributes to compatibility and plasticizing behavior in suitable systems. Assay, acidity, moisture, fumarate content, and processing conditions can influence results. Laboratory evaluation, performance testing, process safety assessment, and applicable regulatory checks are required for each application.
The suggested levels are illustrative laboratory screening points. Dosage bases differ between the examples: monomer weight percentages, parts per hundred resin, and molar functional-group ratios. Correct all additions for actual raw material composition. Copolymer feed composition does not by itself prove incorporation; residual DBM and final polymer composition require suitable analysis.

EXAMPLE 1: MALEIC ACID DIBUTYL ESTER DBM COMONOMER SCREENING IN A VINYL ACETATE EMULSION

Objective: To determine how DBM content affects film formation, flexibility, adhesion, and residual monomer in a vinyl acetate copolymer latex.

Starting components:

Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM: approximately 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% of total active monomer weight

Vinyl acetate: approximately 95%, 90%, 85%, and 80%, respectively, maintaining a total monomer charge of 100%

Protective colloid and emulsifier systems: use an established vinyl acetate emulsion process and keep constant

Initiator and buffering system: keep the selected chemistry, dosage basis, and pH strategy constant

Demineralized water: adjust to maintain the same target polymer solids

Reaction temperature: use the validated setpoint for the selected initiator and vinyl acetate process

Monomer feed duration, agitation, and post-reaction holding conditions: keep constant

These compositions evaluate DBM as a reactive comonomer for internal plasticization. Conversion and monomer distribution must be verified because unreacted dibutyl maleate can also soften a film without becoming part of the polymer.

Application approach:

Prepare a control and the candidate batches using the same established semi-continuous emulsion polymerization procedure.
Prepare the vinyl acetate / DBM monomer feed at the selected ratios, documenting the purity corrections.
Introduce the monomer and initiator through controlled separate feeds while maintaining the validated reaction conditions.
Record reaction temperature, cooling demand, and any change in feed acceptance or dispersion quality.
Complete the established holding and cooling stages, then measure solids, viscosity, particle size, pH, and coagulum.
Determine residual vinyl acetate and DBM using suitable analytical methods rather than relying on total solids alone.
Prepare films at equal dry thickness and compare minimum film-forming temperature, flexibility, adhesion, water response, and blocking.
Assess polymer composition or incorporation by an appropriate method and compare storage stability before selecting the DBM level.
Use suitable reactor cooling, condensation, venting, and exposure controls for vinyl acetate and DBM. Review reaction heat removal and monomer handling before changing scale.

EXAMPLE 2: MALEIC ACID DIBUTYL ESTER DBM CO-PLASTICIZER SCREENING IN A PVC PLASTISOL

Objective: To examine how partial replacement of the main plasticizer with DBM affects plastisol viscosity, fusion behavior, flexibility, and plasticizer retention.

Starting approach:

PVC paste resin: 100 parts by weight

Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM: approximately 0, 5, 10, and 15 parts per hundred resin, abbreviated phr

Selected primary plasticizer: approximately 50, 45, 40, and 35 phr, respectively, keeping the total plasticizer package at 50 phr

Compatible calcium/zinc stabilizer package: a fixed supplier-supported level

Fillers and pigments: omit from the initial comparison

Mixing temperature, mixing time, deaeration, and paste conditioning period: keep constant

Film thickness and fusion profile: use one established schedule suitable for the selected resin and plasticizer system

A dosage of 10 phr DBM means 10 parts DBM per 100 parts PVC resin, not 10% of the complete plastisol. This experiment evaluates physical co-plasticization; chemical incorporation of DBM is not established by blending or ordinary plastisol fusion.

Application approach:

Prepare the liquid plasticizer blend with DBM and the fixed stabilizer package.
Add the PVC paste resin gradually under controlled mixing while limiting temperature rise.
Deaerate consistently and allow the same conditioning period before viscosity measurements.
Measure initial and aged paste viscosity at defined temperature and shear conditions.
Cast equal-thickness films and fuse using the same validated schedule, recording actual material temperature.
Compare fusion quality, hardness, tensile behavior, elongation, and low-temperature flexibility using suitable methods.
Inspect surface tack, exudation, and plasticizer migration after defined storage or contact tests.
Measure mass loss and residual DBM where relevant, distinguishing evaporation, migration, and chemical change.
Select the DBM replacement level that balances processing and final properties without assuming permanent retention.
Use local exhaust during heated PVC processing, avoid overheating, and handle hot films with appropriate protection. Assess extractables and application-specific restrictions before proposing a finished use.

EXAMPLE 3: MALEIC ACID DIBUTYL ESTER DBM RATIO SCREENING FOR AN ASPARTATE ESTER-FUNCTIONAL AMINE INTERMEDIATE

Objective: To evaluate how a small variation in DBM-to-primary-amine ratio influences conversion, residual reactants, viscosity, and stability of an aspartate ester-functional amine.

Starting approach:

Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM: approximately 1.00, 1.02, and 1.05 mol per mol of primary amino groups

Selected primary diamine, such as isophorone diamine: one fixed grade with documented assay, water content, and amino functionality

For a diamine containing two primary amino groups: the corresponding DBM charge is approximately 2.00, 2.04, and 2.10 mol per mol of diamine

Added solvent and catalyst: omit from the initial comparison unless required by an established compatible procedure

Addition profile and reaction temperature: use conditions supported by a small-scale reactivity and heat-release assessment

Sampling schedule and analytical methods: keep constant

The intended transformation is aza-Michael addition across the maleate double bond. Define the ratio per primary amino group rather than per individual N–H hydrogen. Different amino groups can react at different rates, and excess DBM can remain in the product; a slight excess is not automatically beneficial.

Application approach:

Verify the composition of DBM and the chosen diamine and calculate the charge from the actual functional-group contents.
Use a suitable dry laboratory reactor with controlled addition, agitation, temperature monitoring, and adequate cooling.
Combine the reactants according to an established addition sequence, regulating the feed to control the exotherm.
Maintain the selected conditions and take samples according to the same schedule for every ratio.
Monitor primary amine consumption and maleate conversion with suitable validated or qualified methods.
Determine residual DBM, fumarate species where relevant, viscosity, water content, and color.
Use total amine value only as supporting information because the intended product still contains secondary amine functionality.
Assess batch-to-batch reproducibility and storage behavior before choosing a candidate intermediate.
Evaluate any subsequent coating formulation separately using measured amine functionality and its own cure and safety studies.
DBM and amines require suitable ventilation, eye and face protection, and compatible gloves. Establish reaction thermal behavior before scale-up; initial ratio screening does not define a validated coating resin or finished curing system.

REGULATED APPLICATIONS AND COMMERCIAL GRADE DISTINCTIONS

Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM is commonly supplied as a technical chemical intermediate. This profile does not establish a food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic or medical grade, and no E/INS designation or verified cosmetic ingredient name is assigned to the requested industrial product here.
Use of a DBM-derived polymer in packaging or another regulated article requires assessment of the complete material, intended contact conditions and applicable jurisdiction. Chemical incorporation alone does not establish compliance, and technical-grade purity alone does not establish food-contact suitability.
Likewise, low vapor pressure or a high boiling point should not be converted into a universal VOC-exemption claim. VOC treatment depends on the relevant definition, test method, product category and market.
Obtain the application-specific declarations needed for the proposed use. Registry listings and general chemical identity do not establish that every grade or formulation has the same permissions.

FIRST AID

Inhalation: Move a person exposed to Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM vapor or mist to fresh air. Obtain medical assistance for breathing difficulty, persistent symptoms or significant exposure; emergency resuscitation should be performed by trained personnel if needed.
Skin Contact: Remove clothing contaminated with dibutyl maleate and wash the affected skin thoroughly with soap and water. Seek medical advice if redness, itching or a rash develops, because DBM can cause an allergic skin reaction.
Eye Contact: Rinse Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM from the eyes with running water for at least 15 minutes, holding the eyelids open. Remove contact lenses if easily possible and obtain medical attention.
Ingestion: Rinse the mouth after swallowing Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM and obtain medical advice promptly. Do not induce vomiting or give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
Note to Physicians: Provide the Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM SDS and details of the exposure. Treatment is symptomatic; consider sensitization and the possibility that skin symptoms may develop after the initial contact.

HANDLING AND STORAGE

Handling: Use Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM with procedures that prevent splashes, skin contamination and unnecessary open handling. Keep containers closed when not in use and avoid generating mist.
Engineering Controls: Provide suitable ventilation for Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM transfer, sampling and heated processing. Use local extraction where vapor or aerosol could enter the breathing zone, with accessible eyewash and emergency washing facilities.
Personal Protection: Wear chemical splash protection, suitable protective clothing and gloves selected for dibutyl maleate. Confirm glove material and change intervals using the current SDS, glove data and actual contact conditions.

Respiratory Protection: Where Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM exposure cannot be controlled adequately by engineering measures, select respiratory protection through a workplace assessment. Vapor and mist may require different filter arrangements, and air-purifying respirators are unsuitable for oxygen-deficient or unknown atmospheres.
Storage: Store Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM in tightly closed, compatible containers in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location away from excessive heat and ignition sources. Follow the actual grade's temperature and shelf-life instructions.
Temperature and Atmosphere: One published technical-product guide recommends a maximum DBM storage temperature of 37.8 °C and describes dry air or dry nitrogen blanketing for quality retention. This is a product-specific recommendation, not a universal operating limit; any blanketing arrangement requires an appropriate facility design.

Material Compatibility: Use tanks, transfer lines, seals and packaging verified for Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM and the intended service. Published technical guidance includes suitable carbon-steel and stainless-steel options, but compatibility of the complete installation and its seals must be confirmed.
Chemical Incompatibilities: Keep Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM separate from strong oxidizing agents and strong bases. Avoid unintended acidic or basic contamination and excessive heating that could alter ester quality or isomer composition.
Fire Prevention: DBM is a combustible organic liquid even though its flash point is substantially above room temperature. Control ignition sources during transfer and heating, and apply appropriate bonding and grounding procedures.
Spill Procedures: Contain spilled Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM without exposing personnel or allowing it to reach drains. Absorb with a compatible inert material and place collected waste in suitable closed containers.

Environmental Precautions: Prevent Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM from entering soil, sewers or surface water. Its low water solubility does not remove its aquatic hazard, and contaminated firefighting water should also be contained.
Fire Response: Use the extinguishing media identified in the dibutyl maleate SDS, such as suitable foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide or water spray as appropriate to the incident. Firefighters require suitable protective equipment and self-contained breathing apparatus; combustion can generate carbon oxides.
Waste Disposal: Send waste Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM, absorbents and contaminated packaging through an authorized disposal route. Do not reuse an empty container without a suitable decontamination and compatibility assessment.

SAFETY AND TRANSPORT INFORMATION

Published SDS information for Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM identifies skin sensitization as an important hazard. Some current supplier classifications also identify potential organ damage through prolonged or repeated exposure, and EU SDS information identifies an aquatic hazard with long-lasting effects. Use the current regional SDS for the supplied grade to determine the applicable classification and label.
The high boiling point and low room-temperature vapor pressure do not remove the need to control skin contact, mist and heated-process exposure. Free DBM and a polymer manufactured from it should also be assessed as different materials.

UN Number: UN 3082 in the reviewed dangerous-goods classifications.
Proper Shipping Name: ENVIRONMENTALLY HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE, LIQUID, N.O.S. (dibutyl maleate).
Transport Hazard Class: 9.
Packing Group: III.
Environmental Marking and Transport Conditions: Confirm requirements for the supplied material, transport mode, packaging size and jurisdiction from the current SDS and shipping rules.
These transport details concern neat Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM in the reviewed classifications. A formulation containing DBM may have a different classification because of its concentration and other ingredients.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT MALEIC ACID DIBUTYL ESTER DBM

What is Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM?
Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM is dibutyl maleate, an unsaturated liquid diester used mainly as a reactive comonomer and chemical intermediate.

What are the CAS and EC numbers of Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM?
The CAS number of Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM is 105-76-0 and the EC number is 203-328-4.

What is the molecular formula and molecular weight of Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM?
The formula of Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM is C12H20O4 and its molecular weight is approximately 228.29 g/mol.

What is the main polymer application of Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM?
DBM is used to modify vinyl acetate copolymers, helping adjust flexibility and film-forming behavior in suitable binders.

What does internal plasticization mean?
It means the softening comonomer becomes chemically incorporated into the polymer rather than remaining entirely as a separate additive.

Does internal plasticization guarantee zero migration?
No; residual monomer, low-molecular-weight species and other ingredients still require assessment.

Is DBM soluble in water?
Only sparingly; reported solubility is approximately 0.17–0.173 g/L at 20 °C.

What are the boiling and melting points of Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM?
Representative values are approximately 280 °C at 1013 hPa and approximately −85 °C, respectively; grade and measurement conditions matter.

What is the viscosity of Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM?
A published technical dossier gives a calculated dynamic viscosity of 2.51 mPa·s at 20 °C; this is not a universal measured release limit.

Is DBM the same as dibutyl fumarate?
No; they are cis and trans isomers with the same formula but different configurations.

Does 98.5% total ester mean 98.5% pure DBM?
Not necessarily; a specification may combine dibutyl maleate and dibutyl fumarate in the total.

Is DBM a conventional difunctional vinyl crosslinker?
No; Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM contains two ester groups but only one carbon–carbon double bond.

Can DBM be used in polyaspartic ester chemistry?
Selected patent technologies identify Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM as a possible diester starting material; the resulting resin and process require separate validation.

Can Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM replace an acrylate comonomer directly?
Do not assume direct interchangeability; polymerization behavior and final binder properties must be compared.

Is technical DBM food or pharmaceutical grade?
No such suitability is established by the chemical name or by the representative technical specifications in this profile.

What is the main skin-contact concern with Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM?
DBM can cause an allergic skin reaction, so exposure prevention and suitable protective equipment are important.

How is Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM commonly classified for transport?
The reviewed SDS classifications use UN 3082, Class 9, Packing Group III; confirm the actual shipment requirements.

Which documents are most useful before purchasing Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM?
Request the current TDS and regional SDS, an agreed specification and a batch COA that clearly defines assay, isomer content, water, acidity and color.

TECHNICAL SUMMARY

Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM is the di-n-butyl ester of maleic acid, identified by CAS Number 105-76-0, EC Number 203-328-4 and molecular formula C12H20O4. It combines a reactive, electron-deficient cis double bond with two butyl ester groups, giving it value as both a copolymer building block and an intermediate for selected addition chemistry.
The principal commercial role of Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM is in modifying vinyl acetate-based binders for coatings, adhesives and flexible films. When successfully incorporated, DBM can reduce excessive hardness and brittleness and help adjust the glass transition and film-forming behavior of the polymer. The resulting binder must still retain the cohesion, water response and surface characteristics required by its application.

Internal plasticization is a useful reason to consider DBM, but its permanence depends on actual incorporation. A polymer containing reacted DBM-derived units is different from a resin physically blended with unreacted DBM, and neither route justifies a blanket claim of zero migration or complete absence of residual material. Conversion and residual-monomer analysis connect the process to the intended performance.
The physical profile of Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM is that of a sparingly water-soluble, high-boiling liquid with a density close to water and low room-temperature vapor pressure. Representative data include a normal boiling point of approximately 280 °C, density of 0.993–0.995 g/cm3 at 20 °C and water solubility of approximately 0.17 g/L at that temperature. These properties help characterize handling and formulation behavior without establishing a universal safe operating condition or regulatory exemption.

Quality selection requires special care with ester composition. Some technical specifications combine maleate and fumarate in the total ester result, so a high total is not necessarily a correspondingly high DBM-only assay. Water, acid number, color and relevant process impurities should be controlled according to the intended polymerization or downstream reaction, using the specification and actual batch COA.
Safe use of Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM requires prevention of skin exposure, control of vapor or mist where generated, appropriate combustible-liquid precautions and protection of drains and waterways. Published transport classifications use UN 3082, Class 9, Packing Group III, while the current regional SDS remains the reference for the supplied grade. Suitability for regulated applications must be established separately from chemical identity, technical purity or successful incorporation into a polymer.

CONTACT ATAMAN KIMYA

Contact Ataman Kimya to discuss Maleic Acid Dibutyl Ester DBM for your intended polymer, coating, adhesive or specialty-intermediate application. Suitable grade requirements, maleate/fumarate composition, technical documentation, packaging options and required quantities can be reviewed for the proposed use.
Customers may also contact Ataman Kimya to discuss current availability and request a quotation. Supply details and any application-specific documentation should be confirmed for the particular material being offered.
Ataman Chemicals
Phone: +90 216 577 10 10
Email: info@atamankimya.com