Understanding the key differences between GBL (Gamma-Butyrolactone) and Caluanie Muelear Oxidize is essential for making informed procurement decisions in industrial chemical applications.
While both are valuable industrial chemicals, they serve fundamentally different purposes across manufacturing, metal processing, and chemical synthesis sectors.
At Home of Chemicals, we supply both premium-grade GBL and Caluanie Muelear Oxidize, helping clients worldwide select the right chemical for their specific industrial requirements.
What is GBL (Gamma-Butyrolactone)?
GBL (Gamma-Butyrolactone) is a versatile, high-purity industrial solvent and chemical intermediate with the CAS number 96-48-0 . This clear, colorless liquid is a 5-membered-ring lactone with the molecular formula C₄H₆O₂ and a molecular weight of 86.1 g/mol .
Key identifiers for GBL:
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CAS Number: 96-48-0
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Molecular Formula: C₄H₆O₂
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Synonyms: 4-Butyrolactone, Dihydro-2(3H)-furanone, 1,4-Butanolide
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Appearance: Clear colorless liquid with faint ester-like odor
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Specific Gravity: 1.13 (25/4°C)
GBL is a polar, aprotic solvent with a unique combination of solvent and electrical properties, making it valuable across multiple industries . It is soluble in water, alcohols, aromatic hydrocarbons, esters, ethers, and ketones .
Primary Industrial Applications of GBL
GBL serves two main industrial purposes:
1. Solvent Applications:
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Solvent for photosensitive resins and special inks
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Electrolyte solvent for capacitors and lithium batteries
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Spinning and coagulating solvent for polyacrylonitrile
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Selective solvent in the petroleum industry
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Paint removers, coatings, and inks
2. Raw Material for Synthesis:
GBL is a raw material for manufacturing :
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2-Pyrrolidone (2P): Used in pharmaceutical intermediates, nylon-4, and NMP production
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N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP): Solvent for hydrocarbon extraction, polyamide/polyimide varnish
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N-Vinyl-2-pyrrolidone (NVP): Raw material for PVP
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Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP): Used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and food processing
What is Caluanie Muelear Oxidize?
Caluanie Muelear Oxidize is a specialized industrial oxidizing agent used primarily in metal processing, mining, and chemical applications . It is a light brown, viscous liquid with a density of approximately 1.2 g/cm³ .
Key identifiers for Caluanie:
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Other Names: Muelear oxidize pasteurize, Crude Caluanie 99%, Oxidative Partarization Thermostat, Heavy Water
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Density: 1.86g/cm³ (as per some sources)
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Purity: Up to 99%
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Molecular Formula: HNCO or CHNO (depending on source)
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EINECS No.: 616-189-3
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Appearance: Light brown viscous liquid, odorless
Caluanie is classified as an Oxidizing Liquid Category 3 (Ox. Liq. 3) with hazard statements including H272 (May intensify fire; oxidizer), H290 (May be corrosive to metals), and H314 (Causes severe skin burns and eye damage) .
Primary Industrial Applications of Caluanie
Caluanie Muelear Oxidize is widely demanded in the metal and chemical processing sector :
Core Applications:
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Metal Processing & Crushing: Chemical crushing of metals, metal hardware processing
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Precious Stone Refinement: Processing precious and semiprecious stones
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Paint, Coatings & Plastics: Used as hygroscopic agent substitute
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Artisanal Gold Mining: Breaking down gold-bearing rocks
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Stain Removal: Removing substances that other chemicals cannot
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Emulsification: Helping emulsify compounds that aren’t soluble
Key Differences at a Glance
| Aspect | GBL | Caluanie Muelear Oxidize |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Function | Solvent & Chemical Intermediate | Oxidizing Agent |
| CAS Number | 96-48-0 | 75-13-8 (Isocyanic acid) |
| Appearance | Clear colorless liquid | Light brown viscous liquid |
| Chemical Class | Lactone, Polar Aprotic Solvent | Oxidizing Agent |
| Main Industries | Electronics, Pharma, Textiles, Coatings, Batteries | Metal Processing, Mining, Paint, Construction |
| Regulatory Status | DEA List I Chemical (USA); Regulated in many countries | Industrial chemical, subject to hazardous materials regulations |
| Storage | Airtight, dry conditions, avoid moisture | Poison room, cool dry well-ventilated area |
| Purity | ≥99.5% | 99% |
Detailed Comparison: GBL vs Caluanie
Chemical Properties Comparison
| Property | GBL | Caluanie Muelear Oxidize |
|---|---|---|
| Molecular Formula | C₄H₆O₂ | HNCO or CHNO |
| Molecular Weight | 86.09 g/mol | Varies by source |
| Density | 1.13 g/cm³ (25/4°C) | ~1.2 g/cm³ to 1.86g/cm³ |
| Boiling Point | ~204°C | 356.73 °C |
| Freezing/Melting Point | -43.53°C to -44°C | -38.87 °C |
| Appearance | Clear colorless liquid | Light brown viscous liquid |
| Odor | Faint ester-like odor | Odorless |
| Solubility | Miscible with water and many organic solvents | Miscible with water |
| Flash Point | 101-106°C | Not applicable (non-combustible) |
Industrial Applications Comparison
| Application Area | GBL | Caluanie Muelear Oxidize |
|---|---|---|
| Solvent Uses | ✅ Paint removers, coatings, inks, resins | ❌ Not a primary solvent |
| Electronics | ✅ Electrolyte solvent for capacitors and lithium batteries | ❌ |
| Chemical Synthesis | ✅ Raw material for pyrrolidones (NMP, NVP, PVP) | ❌ |
| Metal Processing | ❌ Limited use | ✅ Chemical crushing of metals |
| Precious Stone Refinement | ❌ | ✅ Processing precious and semiprecious stones |
| Paint & Coatings | ✅ As solvent | ✅ As hygroscopic agent substitute |
| Pharmaceuticals | ✅ Intermediate for drug synthesis | ❌ |
| Mining | ❌ | ✅ Artisanal gold mining |
| Textiles | ✅ Spinning solvent for acrylonitrile | ❌ |
| Petroleum Industry | ✅ Selective solvent | ❌ |
| Stain Removal | ❌ | ✅ Removes substances other chemicals can’t |
Safety & Handling Comparison
| Safety Aspect | GBL | Caluanie Muelear Oxidize |
|---|---|---|
| Classification | Acute Tox. 4, STOT SE 3, Eye Dam. 1 | Oxidizing Liquid Category 3 |
| Hazard Statements | H302, H336, H318 | H272, H290, H314, H318 |
| Toxicity (Oral) | LD50 ~1580 mg/kg (Rat) | TDL0: 43 mg/kg (Human) |
| PPE Required | Gloves, goggles | Gloves, safety goggles, protective clothing |
| Storage Conditions | Tightly sealed containers, dry nitrogen atmosphere for moisture-sensitive applications | Poison room, cool dry well-ventilated area |
| First Aid – Skin | Flush with running water | Flush for at least 15 minutes |
| First Aid – Eyes | Irrigate immediately | Rinse thoroughly, seek immediate medical attention |
| Flammability | Flammable (Flash point 101°C) | Non-combustible |
Regulatory Status Comparison
| Regulatory Aspect | GBL | Caluanie Muelear Oxidize |
|---|---|---|
| DEA Status (USA) | List I Chemical under Controlled Substances Act | Not listed as controlled substance |
| REACH Compliance | Registered in EU | Required for EU markets |
| CAS Number | 96-48-0 | 75-13-8 |
| HS Code | 2932.20.00 | 3815.90.00 or 284510 |
| EINECS | 202-509-5 | 616-189-3 |
Which One Do You Need?
Choose GBL If You Need:
1. A Versatile Industrial Solvent
GBL is an excellent solvent for special resins, inks, photosensitive resins, and polymer applications . Its unique combination of solvent and electrical properties makes it valuable across multiple industries .
2. A Chemical Intermediate
GBL is the raw material for manufacturing valuable chemical derivatives including NMP, NVP, and PVP, which are used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and industrial applications .
3. Electronics & Battery Applications
GBL serves as an electrolyte solvent for capacitors and lithium batteries due to its excellent electrical properties .
4. Textile & Polymer Processing
GBL is used as a spinning and coagulating solvent for polyacrylonitrile, and for surface treatment of textile fibers .
5. Paint Removal & Coatings
GBL is an effective solvent in paint removers, coatings, inks, and resin production .
Choose Caluanie Muelear Oxidize If You Need:
1. Metal Processing & Crushing
Caluanie is primarily used for chemical crushing of metals, metal hardware processing, and metal recycling operations .
2. Precious & Semiprecious Stone Refinement
The product is used for processing precious and semiprecious stones in the chemical industry .
3. Artisanal Gold Mining Operations
Caluanie is used to break down gold-bearing rocks in small-scale mining operations .
4. Paint, Coatings, and Plastics Industry
Caluanie is used as a hygroscopic agent substitute in coatings, paints, plastics, and printing inks .
5. Specialized Stain Removal & Emulsification
Caluanie removes substances that other chemicals cannot and helps emulsify compounds that aren’t soluble .
Can the Products Be Used Together?
While both chemicals can exist in the same industrial facility, they serve completely different purposes and should NOT be mixed
| Consideration | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Mixing | ❌ Do not mix. Chemical reactions could be hazardous |
| Storage | ✅ Store separately. GBL requires airtight, dry storage, Caluanie requires poison room storage |
| Compatibility | ⚠️ GBL reacts with strong oxidizing agents ; Caluanie is an oxidizing agent |
| Cross-Use | ❌ Do not substitute one for the other. They have fundamentally different chemical properties |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between GBL and Caluanie?
GBL is an industrial solvent and chemical intermediate, while Caluanie is an oxidizing agent used for metal processing and stone refinement. They serve entirely different industrial purposes.
Can I use GBL for metal processing like Caluanie?
No. GBL is not designed for metal crushing. It is a solvent used for cleaning, coatings, and as a chemical intermediate.
Is GBL more regulated than Caluanie?
Yes. GBL is a DEA List I Chemical in the USA , while Caluanie is primarily subject to standard hazardous materials regulations .
Which product is safer to handle?
Both require proper PPE and safe handling. GBL has lower acute toxicity (LD50 ~1580 mg/kg) compared to Caluanie (TDL0: 43 mg/kg Human) .
Can I buy both products from Home of Chemicals?
Yes. We supply both premium-grade GBL and Caluanie Muelear Oxidize with full documentation including SDS and COA.
What documentation do I need for import?
Both products require SDS, COA, and HS Code documentation. GBL may require additional regulatory documentation depending on your country.
Why Choose Home of Chemicals
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✅ Premium Quality: GBL (≥99.5% purity) and Caluanie (99% purity)
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✅ Industry Expertise: Decades of experience in chemical supply
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✅ Global Reach: Shipping to Germany, Australia, UK, USA, UAE, India, and worldwide
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✅ Compliance Focus: Full documentation including SDS, COA, and REACH compliance
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✅ Competitive Pricing: Bulk supply at wholesale rates
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✅ Expert Guidance: Helping you select the right product for your application
Ready to Place Your Order?
Home of Chemicals offers both premium-grade GBL and Caluanie Muelear Oxidize for industrial applications worldwide. Whether you need solvents, chemical intermediates, or specialized oxidizing agents, we provide consistent quality with full documentation.
Contact us today for pricing, technical specifications, and bulk order inquiries.
📧 Email: info@homeofchemicals.com
🌐 Website: https://homeofchemicals.com
© Home of Chemicals – Your Trusted GBL & Caluanie Muelear Oxidize Supplie

