Boiling Point: The boiling point of butane is about -0.5 °C, (31.1 °F), which makes it stay at its gaseous state at room temperature when it has enough pressure to turn into a liquid.

Melting Point: The melting point of butane is about -138.3°C (-216.9 °F).

Density: The density of gas butane at STP is about 2.48g/L.

The liquid has a density of about 0.573g/cm³.

Solubility: Butane has less solubility in water, but it is easily soluble in organic solvents like ethanol and ether.

Flammability: Butane is highly flammable. It has a low flash point around about -60°C (-76 °F). The butane can make an explosive mixture with the air.

Vapor Pressure: The vapor pressure of butane is near 2.0 atm at 20 °C which helps it to vaporize quite easily at room temperature.

Chemical properties

Combustion

Combustion in Air: Butane readily combines with oxygen to produce complete combustion to carbon dioxide and water.

In Limited Supply of Oxygen: It produces carbon monoxide and soot:

Reactions with Halogens

Halogenation: Butane is known to undergo substitution reactions with halogens like chlorine and bromine, in the presence of UV light or heat:

Isomerization

Structural Isomers: Butane exists in two isomers: n-butane and isobutane, or methylpropane. They can be interconverted under specific conditions; this generally necessitates acids or catalysts.

Dehydrogenation

Synthesis of Alkenes: Butane can be dehydrogenated to give butenes under conditions that include high temperatures and a catalyst:

Reactions with Oxygen Pyrolysis

Thermal Cracking: At high temperatures, butane can crack, or break up and produce smaller alkanes, alkenes and hydrogen:

Nucleophilic Substitution

Alkylating Agents: Butane is a potential alkylating agent. Such agents are generally nucleophile receptors and are often applied in nucleophilic transformations of organic synthesis.

Reactions with Metals

Metal Hydrides: The reaction of butane with some metals can give metal alkyls:.

Application

Fuel

Lighters and Portable Stoves: Due to the ease and effectiveness in its use, butane is used as fuel in lighters, portable camping stoves, torches, etc.

Propellant: Butane is used as a propellant in aerosol formulations for homogenous dispersion of contents.

Heating

Residential Heating: Butane can be used in heating homes through gas heating systems mainly in areas not supplied with natural gas.

Cooking: It is used largely in cooking gas stoves and ovens, as well as camping and outdoor cooking equipment.

Industrial Applications

Feedstock for Petrochemicals: Butane is one of the essential feedstocks for the production of chemicals including isobutylene. This chemical is used in making polymers and fuels.

Cracking: The petrochemical industry employs it for steam cracking purposes to produce lighter hydrocarbons.

Chemical Synthesis

Organic Chemistry: Butane is a solvent and reagent in many organic synthesis reactions. It can be used in the preparation of alkyl halides.

Refrigeration

Refrigerant: Though less in number compared to other refrigerants, butane is possible to use in certain small refrigeration applications.

Aerosols

Cosmetics and Household Products: Butane is used in deodorants, hair sprays, and cleaning agents in aerosol formulations.

Specialized Uses

Specialty Fuels: Added to production, for instance as an additive in lighter fluid, and as a blending component in gasoline.

Conclusion

The various applications of butane reveal a fuel of utmost importance in the world of energy production, industrial processes, and everyday consumer products. Its effectiveness as a fuel and being capable of producing such a wide range of chemicals has made this compound valuable to many concerns.

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Butane Formula

Chemical Formula for butane is. It is an alkane that contains four carbon atoms and is usually a fuel. It is also used in lighters.

Physical properties

Appearance

Form: It is colorless gas at room temperature and pressure. Sometimes it can be found in liquid under pressure.

Odor: It is not smelly, but commercial butane very often contains some odorant like ethyl mercaptan in it for leak detection