Dibutyl 3-hydroxybutyl phosphate is a compound produced from the metabolism of the organophosphorus solvent, tributyl phosphate (TBP). Incubation of goldfish liver microsomes in the presence of NADPH has been shown to convert TBP into dibutyl-3-hydroxybutyl phosphate and dibutyl phosphate. Dibutyl-3-hydroxybutyl phosphate has also been produced during radiolysis of TBP.
Methotrexate di-n-butyl ester is an antineoplastic antimetabolite with immunosuppressant properties. It is an inhibitor of tetrahydrofoltae dehydrogenase and prevents the formation of tetrahydrofolate, necessary for synthesis of thymidylate, an essential component of DNA.