sec-butanol, also known as 2-butanol, is a type of alcohol with the chemical formula C4H10O. It is a colorless liquid that has a mild, sweet odor. This compound is commonly used as a solvent in various industrial applications and can also be found in some personal care products. In terms of its structure, sec-butanol features a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to the second carbon of a four-carbon chain. This positioning gives it unique properties compared to other butanol isomers, such as n-butanol and tert-butanol. It is flammable and should be handled with care in laboratory and industrial settings.