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Butane

General
Chemical Name n-Butane
Chemical formula CH3(CH2)2CH3
Molecular weight 58.1 g/mol
CAS number 106-97-8
MSDS Butane MSDS
SMILES  ?
Other names
  • ?
Physical properties
Density and phase at STP  ? g/cm3 (gas)
Solubility  ? in ?
Specific gravity  ?
Crystal structure  ?
pH (10% solution with water) 7.0
Acidity constant (pKa)  ?
Thermal decomposition  ? °C (? K)
Phase behavior
Melting point -138.3 °C (134.9 K)
Boiling point -0.5 °C (272.7 K)
Triple point  ? K (? °C)
 ? bar
Critical point  ? K (? °C)
 ? bar
Heat of fusion
fusH)
 ? kJ/mol
Entropy of fusion
fusS)
 ? J/mol·K
Heat of vaporization
vapH)
21 kJ/mol
Safety
Ingestion  ?
Inhalation  ?
Skin  ?
Eyes  ?
Flash point -60 °C
Autoignition temperature  ? °C
Explosive limits  ? - ?%
OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit
(PEL)
 ? ppm
NIOSH Immediate Danger to Life and Health
(IDLH)
 ? ppm
Precautions
  • Hazards:
    • Extremely flammable
  • Personal protection:
    •  ?
  • Reacts with:
    •  ?
  • Storage:
    • Keep container in a well ventilated place
Liquid properties
ΔfH0liquid  ? kJ/mol
S0liquid  ? J/mol·K
Cp  ? J/mol·K
Density  ? g/cm3
Gas properties
ΔfH0gas -126 kJ/mol
S0gas 310 J/mol·K
Cp 97 J/mol·K

Except where noted, all data was produced under conditions of standard temperature and pressure.

Butane is the general name for two related alkane hydrocarbon with the molecular formula C4H10: n-butane (1-butane) and iso-butane (i-butane, isobutane, 2-methylpropane). Butanes are highly flammable, colorless, easily liquefied gases that are used as fuel for cigarette lighters and portable stoves and as propellants in aerosol sprays.

n-Butane has the following chemical structure:

    H   H   H   H
    |   |   |   |
H - C - C - C - C - H
    |   |   |   |
    H   H   H   H

Butane exists as two isomers:

n-butane is a fully hydrogenated linear chain of four carbon atoms: CH3CH2CH2CH3. Its boiling point is −0.6 °C and its melting point is −138.3 °C.

iso-butane, or isobutane, has the formula CH3CH(CH3)2, and the systematic name 2-methylpropane. Its boiling point is −11.7 °C and its melting point is −159.6 °C.

Image:N&i-butane.png

Recent concerns with depletion of the ozone layer by freon gases have led to increased use of isobutane as a gas for refrigeration systems, especially in domestic refrigerators and freezers. When used as a refrigerant, isobutane is also known as R600a .

Butane gas

Alkanes are unreactive, as their C-C and C-H bonds are very strong. They do not react with acids, alkalis, metals, or oxidising agents. It may seem surprising, but petrol (octane) has no reaction with concentrated sulphuric acid, sodium metal or potassium manganate.

It burns to form carbon dioxide and steam:

butane + oxygen -> carbon dioxide + steam

Burning camping gas forms carbon dioxide and steam (plentiful supply of air) and also carbon (soot) and carbon monoxide (in a limited supply of air).

Common uses for Butane gas are as a bottled supply for cooking and camping, when referred to as calor gas. It is also widely used as a petrol component and a feedstock for the production of base petrochemicals in steam cracking.

See also

External links

Last updated: 07-30-2005 18:16:33
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