Difference between revisions of "Butane"
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*[http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=23730 Iodine + liquid butane??] | *[http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=23730 Iodine + liquid butane??] | ||
| + | [[Category:Chemical compounds]] | ||
[[Category:Organic compounds]] | [[Category:Organic compounds]] | ||
[[Category:Hydrocarbons]] | [[Category:Hydrocarbons]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Alkanes]] | ||
[[Category:Gases]] | [[Category:Gases]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Solvents]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Nonpolar solvents]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Readily available chemicals]] | ||
Revision as of 12:21, 6 September 2015
Butane is an organic compound, with the chemical formula C4H10. It consists of two structural isomers, n-butane and isobutane, also known as methylpropane.
Contents
Properties
Chemical
Both butane isomers react with halogens to yield halobutanes in the presence of light. Iodine however does not react with butane, instead it dissolves in it.
Xylene appears to be miscible with butane.
Physical
Butane is a gas at standard conditions, easily compressible. Butane consists of two isomers:
- n-butane: A colorless gas at standard conditions, n-butane melts at −138 °C and boils at -0.5°C. Its density is 0.579 g/mL at 20 °C. Flash point is at 45°C.
- isobutane:Just like the n isomer, isobutane is a colorless gas. It melts at −160 °C and boils at −12 °C.
Availability
Camping fire stove tanks contain a mixture of isobutane with propane, usually in a 80:20 ratio.
Preparation
N-butane can be prepared by decarboxylating valeric acid derivates.
Projects
- Butyl alcohols
- Halobutanes
- Maleic anhydride synthesis
Handling
Safety
Butane has low toxicity, but in high concentration can cause asphyxiation.
Storage
Butane tanks should be stored in cold places.
Disposal
Butane is flammable.
