This document describes the synthesis of (R)-sec-butylamine from 2-butanone. It is used in pesticides, dyes, fungicides and pharmaceuticals. The synthesis uses inexpensive and common reagents and has a total cost of $342.45 to produce 5g, yielding a profit of $1072.55 per batch. With the (S) enantiomer also being sold, total potential profit is $2079.45 per batch.

1. (R)-sec-
butylamine
A synthesis by Jennifer Beebe,
Ann Margaret Phelps, and Jennifer West

2. Properties
•Colorless liquid
•Mass: 73.14
•Melting Point: -107ºC
•Boiling Point: 63ºC
•Flammable, causes burns, harmful to aquatic organisms

3. Uses
•Pesticides
•Dyes
•Fungicides
•Pharmaceuticals

4. Potato
fungus
We use so much sec-butylamine that the
compound is under review for the High
Production Volume Challenge program.

5. Citrus Fungus
• Sprayed on citrus crops to prevent
fungus
• Used since 1960’s

6. Synthesis

11. Reagent Costs
Chemical Source Cost
2-butanone Aldrich $0.45
Hydroxyamine HCl Grainger $1.13
Sulfuric Acid Aldrich $0.13
LiAlH4 Aldrich $0.10
(L)-tartaric acid Aldrich $0.30
Ethanol Aldrich $0.16
Sodium Chromate Aldrich $4.90
Diethyl ether Aldrich $1.80
Sodium Hydroxide Aldrich $2.95
Sodium Sulfate Aldrich $1.13
Total $13.05
Cost $13.05 • Profit: $1401.95

12. Reagent Costs (full amounts purchased)
Chemical Amount Source Cost
2-butanone 9.86g Aldrich $52.00
Hydroxyamine HCl 4.52g Grainger $36.70
Sulfuric Acid 12.753g Aldrich $48.00
LiAlH4 5.19g Aldrich $29.50
(L)-tartaric acid 20.5g Aldrich $31.00
Ethanol 100mL Spectrum $29.75
Sodium Chromate 22.15g Aldrich $33.20
Diethyl ether 100mL Aldrich $31.90
Sodium Hydroxide 100mL Aldrich $28.30
Sodium Sulfate 25g Aldrich $22.10
Total $342.45
Costs: $342.45

13. Profit Analysis
Product Amount Source Selling Price
(R)-sec-butylamine 1g/$283 * 5g Aldrich $1,415.00
Costs $342.45
Profit $1,072.55
Profit: $1072.55

14. Real-world
profit
•Our synthesis assumed the (S)-sec-butyl amine was
discarded
•If it were sold as well, it would generate $677.50 in addition
profit (5g, racemic mixture)
• Total profit: $2079.45

15. References
• High Production Volume Challenge <http://www.epa.gov/hpv/pubs/
general/basicinfo.htm>
• Index of Cleared Science Reviews for sec-Butylamine <http://
www.epa.gov/pesticides/chemical/foia/cleared-reviews/reviews/
004214/004214.htm>
• RS sec-butylamine <http://scorecard.goodguide.com/chemical-
profiles/summary.tcl?edf_substance_id=13952-84-6#ranking>
• (R)-(-)-2-Aminobutane <http://www.chemblink.com/products/
13250-12-9.htm>

16. Chemical
suppliers
•Sigma-Aldrich <www.sigmaaldrich.com>
•Grainger <http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/
search.shtml?op=search&N=16757&in_dim_search=1>
•Spectrum <https://www.spectrumchemical.com>