Butyraldehyde appears as a clear liquid with a pungent odor. Flash point 20°F. Boiling point 75.7°F (Hawley's). Less dense than water and insoluble in water. Vapors heavier than air.Butanal is a member of the class of butanals that consists of propane bearing a formyl substituent at the 1-position. The parent of the class of butanals. It has a role as a biomarker, an Escherichia coli metabolite and a mouse metabolite.

1. Butyraldehyde is an important intermediate.n-Butanol can be produced by hydrogenation of n-butyraldehyde;2-ethylhexanol can be obtained via condensation, dehydration and subsequent hydrogenation.n-Butanol and 2-ethylhexanol are the main raw materials for plasticizers.n-Butyric acid can be produced by oxidation of n-butyraldehyde;trimethylolpropane can be prepared by condensation with formaldehyde, which serves as a plasticizer for synthetic alkyd resins and a raw material for air-drying oils.
2. Butyraldehyde is an important chemical raw material.
3. It can be used as an anesthetic and an irritant.