Butane

Butane is an organic compound with the chemical formula C
₄H
₁₀. It is an alkane with four carbon atoms. It is used as a fuel (sometimes with propane) and in aerosol cans.

Butane

Names
Preferred IUPAC name Butane[1]
Systematic IUPAC name Tetracarbane (never recommended[1])
Other names Butyl hydride[2] Quartane[3]
Identifiers
CAS Number	106-97-8 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
Beilstein Reference	969129
ChEBI	CHEBI:37808 Y
ChEMBL	ChEMBL134702 Y
ChemSpider	7555 Y
ECHA InfoCard	100.003.136
EC Number	203-448-7
E number	E943a (glazing agents, ...)
Gmelin Reference	1148
KEGG	D03186 Y
MeSH	butane
PubChem CID	7843
RTECS number	EJ4200000
UNII	6LV4FOR43R Y
UN number	1011
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID7024665
SMILES CCCC
Properties
Chemical formula	C4H10
Molar mass	58.12 g·mol−1
Appearance	Colorless gas
Odor	Gasoline-like or natural gas-like[2]
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
Solubility in water	61 mg L−1 (at 20 °C (68 °F))
log P	2.745
Vapor pressure	~170 kPa at 283 K [4]
kH	11 nmol Pa−1 kg−1
Conjugate acid	Butanium
Magnetic susceptibility (χ)	-57.4·10−6 cm3/mol
Thermochemistry
Std enthalpy of formation ΔfHo298	−126.3–−124.9 kJ mol−1
Std enthalpy of combustion ΔcHo298	−2.8781–−2.8769 MJ mol−1
Specific heat capacity, C	98.49 J K−1 mol−1
Hazards
NFPA 704	4 1 0
Explosive limits	1.8–8.4%
U.S. Permissible exposure limit (PEL)	none[2]
Related compounds
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Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Infobox references

Aerosol spray cans often contain Butane

Uses of Butane

Butane is sold in canisters, for cooking and camping. It is also used as fuel in cigarette lighters, and as propellant in aerosol sprays or deodorants. Some kinds of Butane are used in refrigerators.

Mixtures with Propane are known as LPG.

Dangers

Butane can be hazardous. Inhalation can lead to death by asphyxiation due to displacement of oxygen in the lungs. Contact with the skin can lead to frostbite. If the gas is mixed with air and ignited, it is prone to explode like many other fuels that are volatile.