Alcohols
DETAIL
Isobutanol is produced by the carbonylation of propylene.
Biosynthesis of isobutanol
Main article: Butanol fuel
E. coli as well as several other organisms has been genetically modified to produce C4 alcohols from glucose, including isobutanol, 1-butanol, 2-methyl-1-butanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol, and 2-phenylethanol. The host's highly active amino acid biosynthetic pathway is shifted to alcohol production. α-Ketoisovalerate, derived from valine, is prone to decarboxylation to give isobutyraldehyde, which is susceptible to reduction to the alcohol:
Applications
The uses of isobutanol and n-butanol are similar. They are often used interchangeably. The main applications are as varnishes and precursors to esters, which are useful solvents, e.g. isobutyl acetate. Isobutyl esters of phthalic, adipic, and related dicarboxylic acids are common plasticizers. Isobutanol is also a component of some biofuels.