Butane

Introduction

Hydrocarbon butane has the chemical formula 𝐶4𝐻10. At room temperature, it exists in a gaseous state and is an alkane. Edward Frankland, a British chemist, was discovered in 1849. Although Edmund Ronalds, an English industrial chemist, noted its numerous qualities. He discovered butane in oil products and researched its qualities.

Butane belongs to the family of paraffinic hydrocarbons and is a colourless, odourless gaseous hydrocarbon (compound of carbon and hydrogen). Normal butane, also known as n-butane, is a molecule in which all the carbon is connected in a straight chain. Isobutane, on the other hand, has a branched chain. Both substances are found in oil and natural gas and are produced in significant amounts when petroleum is refined to make gasoline.

Butane structure

Butane's chemical name is $\mathrm{C_{4}H_{10}}$, as we have previously discussed. Butane is the term used by IUPAC. In the name butane, the prefix "But" stands for the four carbon atoms that make up the substance, and the suffix "ane" is derived from the alkane series to signify that the substance is saturated and a member of the alkane homologous series. The general formula for alkanes, $\mathrm{C_{n}H_{2n\:_+\:2}}$, which may be easily used to describe butane, can be written as follows − $\mathrm{C_{4}H_{10}}$ will result when the value of "n" for butane is changed to 4.

Therefore, $\mathrm{C_{4}H_{10}}$ is a saturated hydrocarbon (a hydrocarbon having a single link between carbon atoms) that contains 4 Carbon atoms and 10 Hydrogen atoms. Butane, also known as n-butane, features covalent connections between the carbon atoms C and

C and a linear chain structure. A carbon atom has four sigma bonds. Every carbon atom is, therefore, sp3 hybridized and has the form of a tetrahedron.

Properties of butane

• It is a gas with no colour.

• It burns easily.

• At standard temperature and pressure, it is a gas.

• It smells like gasoline.

• It has the empirical formula $\mathrm{C_{2}H_{5}}$ and the molecular formula $\mathrm{C_{4}H_{10}}$.

• Butane has a 58.124g/mol molar mass.

• Butane has a boiling point between -1℃and 1℃.

• Its density at 15 ℃ is 2.48 kg/m3.

• At normal temperature, butane gas is easily liquified and quickly transformed into vapour.

• It has low water solubility. At 68℉, it dissolves in water at a rate of 61 mg per litre.

Chemical properties of butane

• Butane and chlorine interact to generate butyl chloride and Hydrochloric acid in this reaction. Below are some reactions −

$$\mathrm{2C_{4}H_{10}\:+\:Cl_{2}\rightarrow\:C_{4}H_{10}Cl\:+\:HCl}$$

• $\mathrm{CO_{2}}$ and water vapour are produced when butane and oxygen combine. The response is listed below −

$$\mathrm{2C_{4}H_{10}\:+\:13O_{2}\:\rightarrow\:8CO_{2}\:+\:10H_{2}O\:+\:Energy}$$

• Iodine-butane reaction − 2-iodobutane and HI are produced when iodine and butane combine. Below are some reactions −

$$\mathrm{2c_{4}H_{10}\:+\:I_{2}\:\rightarrow\:C_{4}H_{9}I\:+\:HI}$$

Production of butane

A fossil fuel called butane is naturally formed by the dead bodies of plants and animals that were once present on Earth. Deep within the earth, it is discovered as natural gas. Crude oil is fractionally distilled to produce butane. Diesel, Kerosene, heavy gas oil, and other products are also produced during this process.

The process of fractional distillation involves utilizing a fractionating column to separate different liquid mixture components according to their varied boiling points. Petroleum refinement is another name for crude oil fractional distillation.

Uses of butane

• It is frequently used as fuel for many different things.

• It is a vital component of synthetic rubber's raw materials.

• It is one of LPG's constituents (Liquified Petroleum Gas).

• In refineries, isobutane is used.

• For blending gasoline, it is employed.

• In steam cracking, it is employed.

• For fuel, cigarette lighters use it.

• Additionally, it is utilized in air conditioning systems.

• It serves as the propellant in deodorants and aerosol sprays.

• Refrigerants utilize its isomer, isobutane.

• Additionally, it serves as the fuel for a butane torch.

• It serves as fuel for barbecues, camping stoves, and other appliances. Although butane must be transported with extreme caution.

• Because it burns cleanly, butane does not emit smoke or act as a greenhouse gas. The ozone layer in the atmosphere is not similarly impacted. As a result, butane is fuel or gas that is environmentally benign.

Disadvantages of Butane: Is Butane Toxic to Humans?

Butane has several uses and improves our lives, as we already described. But it also has some drawbacks. Even though butane has relatively low toxicity, exposure to its medium to low quantities has no negative consequences. However, exposure to extremely high amounts can harm the heart, induce cancer, or depress the central nervous system. Inhaling butane can result in euphoria, somnolence, unconsciousness, suffocation, and other negative effects. It might result in momentary memory loss, blood pressure swings, or even demise. If it gets into the blood, it will quickly make you drunk. Carbon monoxide is produced when butane burns in an oxygen-poor environment, and prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide can be fatal. Liquid butane gas contact has the potential to permanently harm the eyes. It may also result in numbness or skin irritation.

Conclusion

Butane is a colourless gas with a mild aroma resembling that of petroleum. It might be stanched for shipment. It is transported as a liquefied gas under its vapour pressure. Frostbite may result from contact with the liquid. It is easily lit on fire. It has vapours that are denser than air. Any leak could be vapour or liquid. The containers may violently rupture and shoot into the air when exposed to fire for an extended period of severe heat. It is employed in cigarette lighters as an aerosol propellant, as fuel, and in the synthesis of other compounds.

FAQs

1. State any one difference between Natural gas and butane?

Natural gas is generated underground and includes propane, methane, and butane among other gases. It could be a gas, either compressed or uncompressed or a liquid.

2. Why are cigarettes filled with butane gas?

To maintain a high temperature, burn at the cigarette's tip, butane is added to cigarettes. Nicotine is transformed into a vapour that your blood can absorb more quickly. When inhaled by people, butane is exceedingly hazardous and can lead to heart and breathing system problems.

3. Are there various varieties of butane?

Butane, also known as $\mathrm{C_{4}H_{10}}$, is an alkane derivative of natural gas that comes in 2 different structural isomers, n-butane, and isobutane, or a combination of the two. When we hear the word "butane," we typically think of n-butane, which is extremely refined and is what Puretane butane is.

4. Refined butane is what?

Refined butane, which was found in the early twentieth century, is a byproduct of the production of natural gas. It is highly flammable, inexpensive to make, and has a wide range of consumer and industrial applications.

5. Why do lighters utilize butane?

Due to properties including viscosity, vapour pressure, and temperature of autoignition, more lighters are used with butane than with propane.