Butane 1

Butane
n-Butane

Identifiers

CAS number [1]

106-97-8  

PubChem [2]
7843  

ChemSpider [3]
7555  

UNII [4]
6LV4FOR43R  

UN number 1011
As Liquefied petroleum gas: 1075

ChEBI [5]
37808

SMILES

InChI

InChI key

Properties

Molecular formula CH
4 10
Molar mass 58.12 g mol−1

Appearance Colorless gas

Density 2.48 kg/m3, gas (15 °C, 1 atm)

600 kg/m3, liquid (0 °C, 1 atm)

Melting point −138.4 °C (135.4 K)

Boiling point −0.5 °C (272.6 K)

Solubility in water 6.1 mg/100 ml (20 °C)

Hazards

EU classification Highly flammable (F+)

NFPA 704

Flash point −60 °C

Butane 2

Autoignition 500 °C
temperature

Explosive limits [6]

1.8 – 8.4%

Related compounds

Related alkanes Propane; Pentane

Related compounds Isobutane; Cyclobutane

[7]
 (what is this?)   (verify)
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)

Infobox references

Butane is a gas with the formula C4H10, that is, an alkane with four carbon atoms. The term may refer to any of two
structural isomers, or to a mixture of them: in the IUPAC nomenclature, however, butane refers only to the
unbranched n-butane isomer; the other one being called "methylpropane".
Butanes are highly flammable, colorless, easily liquefied gases. The name butane comes from the roots but- (from
butyric acid) and -ane. The maximum adiabatic flame temperature a butane torch can achieve with air is 2243 K
(1970 °C; 3578 °F).

Isomers
Common name normal butane isobutane
unbranched buntane i-butane
n-butane

IUPAC name butane methylpropane

Molecular
diagram

Skeletal
diagram

Rotation about the central C-C bond produces two different conformations (trans and gauche) for n-butane.[8]
Butane 3

Reactions
When oxygen is plentiful, butane burns to form carbon dioxide and
water vapor; when oxygen is limited, carbon (soot) or carbon
monoxide may also be formed.
2 C4H10 + 13 O2 → 8 CO2 + 10 H2O
n-Butane is the feedstock for DuPont's catalytic process for the
preparation of maleic anhydride:
2 CH3CH2CH2CH3 + 7 O2 → 2 C2H2(CO)2O + 8 H2O
n-Butane, like all hydrocarbons, undergoes free radical chlorination Spectrum of the blue flame from a butane torch
providing both 1-chloro- and 2-chlorobutanes, as well as more highly showing molecular radical band emission and
Swan bands
chlorinated derivatives. The relative rates of the chlorination is
partially explained by the differing bond dissociation energies, 425 and
411 kJ/mol for the two types of C-H bonds. The two central carbon atoms have the slightly weaker C-H bonds.

Uses
Butane gas is sold bottled as a fuel for cooking and camping. When
blended with propane and other hydrocarbons, it is referred to
commercially as LPG. It is also used as a petrol component, as a
feedstock for the production of base petrochemicals in steam cracking,
as fuel for cigarette lighters and as a propellant in aerosol sprays such
as deodorants.

Very pure forms of butane, especially isobutane, can be used as

refrigerants and have largely replaced the ozone layer-depleting
Butane being sprayed from an aerosol spray can
halomethanes, for instance in household refrigerators and freezers. The
system operating pressure for butane is lower than for the
halomethanes, such as R-12, so R-12 systems such as in automotive air conditioning systems, when converted to
butane will not function optimally.

Effects and health issues

Inhalation of butane can cause euphoria, drowsiness, narcosis, asphyxia, cardiac
arrhythmia, and frostbite, which can result in death from asphyxiation and
ventricular fibrillation. Butane is the most commonly misused volatile substance
in the UK, and was the cause of 52% of "solvent related" deaths in 2000.[9] By
spraying butane directly into the throat, the jet of fluid can cool rapidly to −20 °C
by expansion, causing prolonged laryngospasm.[10] "Sudden sniffer's death"
syndrome, first described by Bass in 1970,[11] is the most common single cause
of "solvent related" death, resulting in 55% of known fatal cases.[10]

The paper "Emission of nitrogen dioxide from butane gas heaters and stoves
indoors" [12], from the American Journal of Applied Sciences, indicates that
nitrogen dioxide, a toxic gas, results from burning Butane gas, and represents a
human health hazard from home heaters and stoves. Butane gas cylinder used for cooking
Butane 4

See also
• Volatile substance abuse
• Camping Gaz
• Calor

References
[1] http:/ / www. commonchemistry. org/ ChemicalDetail. aspx?ref=106-97-8
[2] http:/ / pubchem. ncbi. nlm. nih. gov/ summary/ summary. cgi?cid=7843
[3] http:/ / www. chemspider. com/ 7555
[4] http:/ / fdasis. nlm. nih. gov/ srs/ srsdirect. jsp?regno=6LV4FOR43R
[5] http:/ / www. ebi. ac. uk/ chebi/ searchId. do?chebiId=CHEBI:37808
[6] MSDS Butane (http:/ / www. vngas. com/ pdf/ g17. pdf) BOC Gases
[7] http:/ / en. wikipedia. org/ wiki/ %3Abutane
[8] Roman M. Balabin (2009). "Enthalpy Difference between Conformations of Normal Alkanes: Raman Spectroscopy Study of n-Pentane and
n-Butane". J. Phys. Chem. A 113 (6): 1012. doi:10.1021/jp809639s. PMID 19152252.
[9] Trends in death Associated with Abuse of Volatile Substances 1971–2004 (http:/ / www. sgul. ac. uk/ dms/
AF54AFD9D207A9A41D353717989DC4E0. pdf) Field-Smith M, Bland JM, Taylor JC, et al., Department of Public Health Sciences.
London: St George’s Medical School
[10] Ramsey J, Anderson HR, Bloor K, et al. An introduction to the practice, prevalence and chemical toxicology of volatile substance abuse.
Hum Toxicol 1989;8:261–269
[11] Bass M. Sudden sniffing death. JAMA 1970;212:2075–2079
[12] http:/ / www. scipub. org/ fulltext/ ajas/ ajas23707-710. pdf

External links
• International Chemical Safety Card 0232 (http://www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/safework/cis/
products/icsc/dtasht/_icsc02/icsc0232.htm)
• NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0068.html)
• European Chemicals Bureau (http://ecb.jrc.it/)
• n-Butane (http://www.it.swin.edu.au/personal/fwang/Mom/Mom_butane.html) Molecule of the Month
• World LP Gas Association (WLPGA) (http://www.worldlpgas.com)
• UKLPG Propane and Butane in the UK (http://www.uklpg.org)
• Global BioSciences (http://www.biobutane.com) In-Situ Bioremediation utilizing Butane
Article Sources and Contributors 5

Article Sources and Contributors

Butane  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=390689971  Contributors: 25or6to4, 4twenty42o, Adashiel, Ahoerstemeier, Ajcfreak, Alex-thong, Altermike, Andonic, Andre Engels,
Andres, Anthony Appleyard, Apple2, Astral, AtholM, Beetstra, Belamp, Benjah-bmm27, Benny McBen, Betacommand, Biker Biker, Bluerhinos, Bobber0001, Bomac, Bumm13, Bushytails,
CDXX420, Cacahueten, Cacycle, Caiaffa, Cburnett, Chem-awb, Christin, Ckatz, Cobaltcigs, Conscious, Corvus cornix, Cptmurdok, Crunk cat 4 l1fe, Darrien, Dbc334, Dbenbenn, Deglr6328,
Denelson83, Derlay, Dina, DroEsperanto, Dss971, Edgar181, Edsanville, Egil, Emre D., Enchanter, Epop fr, Eric119, Ethoen, Fang Aili, Femto, Finngall, Fornadan, Franky77, GB fan, Gentgeen,
Hadal, Happy1n n, Hebrides, Hellbus, Hunting dog, Itub, IvanLanin, Jaraalbe, Jcloving, Joelholdsworth, Johner, Jorge Stolfi, JorgeGG, Julesd, Justin Custer, Kaganer, Karlhahn, Kezbigfrank,
Kf4bdy, Kurykh, LAX, LOL, LettFujiwara, Looxix, M1ss1ontomars2k4, MC MasterChef, Mac, Maduncle16, Maralia, Marj Tiefert, Mastercampbell, Materialscientist, Metalloid, Mikez, Mion,
Monedula, Mr0t1633, Mrholybrain, Mttcmbs, Munita Prasad, Naidevinci, NawlinWiki, Noldoaran, Nuno Tavares, OldakQuill, Oxymoron83, Pacaro, Peko, Peppage, Peter Corbett, PhilKnight,
Philip Trueman, Physchim62, Ping, Pizza1512, Pmacc, Qjim, Qxz, Raeky, RatedAAA, Razorflame, Reinderien, RexNL, Rice.brendan, Rickjpelleg, Roeeyaron, Romanm, Roregan, Rubén Mar,
Samuelscat, Schneelocke, Sergio Macías, Serinde, Shanes, Shoefly, SimonP, Skiview, Skylar44, Slashme, Smaines, Smokefoot, Sonicblue4, Sun Ladder, Superdirt21, Swarm, Swindlefun,
Sxeraverx, T.John.E, TUF-KAT, Tarquin, Tchaika, Temporaluser, Tetracube, The Anome, The REAL Teol, The Thing That Should Not Be, Thomas Blomberg, Thomasgl, Thumperward, Tim R,
Tim Starling, Titoxd, Tombomp, Tomj, Towel401, Unveiled, Walkerma, Wikibofh, Wikinaut11, William915, Wimvandorst, Wolfgang Kufner, Xmastree, YUL89YYZ, Yamamoto Ichiro, Yyy,
Zamphuor, Zirconscot, Zirland, Zoolatry, Јованвб, ‫نیهاشریما‬, 290 anonymous edits

Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors

File:Butane-2D-Skeletal.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Butane-2D-Skeletal.svg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: User:Joelholdsworth
File:Butane-2D-flat.png  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Butane-2D-flat.png  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Benjah-bmm27, NEUROtiker, 1 anonymous edits
File:Butane-3D-balls.png  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Butane-3D-balls.png  License: Public Domain  Contributors: User:Benjah-bmm27, User:Ephemeronium
File:Butane-3D-space-filling.png  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Butane-3D-space-filling.png  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Benjah-bmm27, EugeneZelenko,
Kemikungen
File:Yes check.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Yes_check.svg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: User:Gmaxwell, User:WarX
Image:Butane.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Butane.svg  License: Creative Commons Attribution 2.5  Contributors: User:Bangin
Image:Isobutane.png  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Isobutane.png  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Made by Taw from pl.wikipedia
Image:Butane-2D-Skeletal.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Butane-2D-Skeletal.svg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: User:Joelholdsworth
Image:I-Butane-2D-Skeletal.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:I-Butane-2D-Skeletal.svg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: User:Joelholdsworth
Image:Spectrum of blue flame.png  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Spectrum_of_blue_flame.png  License: GNU Free Documentation License  Contributors: Deglr6328
Image:Aerosol.png  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Aerosol.png  License: GNU Free Documentation License  Contributors: PiccoloNamek
File:ButaneGasCylinder WhiteBack.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:ButaneGasCylinder_WhiteBack.jpg  License: GNU Free Documentation License  Contributors:
User:Sun Ladder

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