Butane

Butane
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
Butane
Systematic IUPAC name
Tetracarbane (never recommended)
Other names
  • Butyl hydride
  • Quartane
  • R600
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
969129
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.003.136
EC Number
  • 203-448-7
E number E943a (glazing agents, ...)
1148
KEGG
MeSH butane
RTECS number
  • EJ4200000
UNII
UN number 1011
  • InChI=1S/C4H10/c1-3-4-2/h3-4H2,1-2H3 Y
    Key: IJDNQMDRQITEOD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y
  • CCCC
Properties
C4H10
Molar mass 58.124 g·mol−1
Appearance Colorless gas
Odor Gasoline-like or natural gas-like
Density 2.48 kg/m3 (at 15 °C (59 °F))
Melting point −140 to −134 °C; −220 to −209 °F; 133 to 139 K
Boiling point −1 to 1 °C; 30 to 34 °F; 272 to 274 K
61 mg/L (at 20 °C (68 °F))
log P 2.745
Vapor pressure ~170 kPa at 283 K
11 nmol Pa−1 kg−1
−57.4·10−6 cm3/mol
Thermochemistry
98.49 J/(K·mol)
−126.3–−124.9 kJ/mol
−2.8781–−2.8769 MJ/mol
Hazards
GHS labelling:
Danger
H220
P210
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
Flash point −60 °C (−76 °F; 213 K)
405 °C (761 °F; 678 K)
Explosive limits 1.8–8.4%
NIOSH (US health exposure limits):
PEL (Permissible)
none
REL (Recommended)
TWA 800 ppm (1900 mg/m3)
IDLH (Immediate danger)
1600 ppm
Related compounds
Related alkanes
Related compounds
Perfluorobutane
Supplementary data page
Butane (data page)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Y verify (what is YN ?)
Infobox references

Butane (/ˈbjuːtn/) is an alkane with the formula C4H10. Butane exists as two isomers, n-butane with connectivity CH3CH2CH2CH3 and iso-butane with the formula (CH3)3CH. Both isomers are highly flammable, colorless, easily liquefied gases that quickly vaporize at room temperature and pressure. Butanes are a trace components of natural gases (NG gases). The other hydrocarbons in NG include propane, ethane, and especially methane, which are more abundant. Liquefied petroleum gas is a mixture of propane and some butanes.

The name butane comes from the root but- (from butyric acid, named after the Greek word for butter) and the suffix -ane (for organic compounds).