N-butane

Definition

n-Butane is a straight-chain alkane with the chemical formula C4H10. It is a colorless, odorless gas that is the second simplest alkane after methane. n-Butane is a key component in the study of alkanes and alkane isomers.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. n-Butane is the straight-chain isomer of the alkane with four carbon atoms.
2. The IUPAC name for n-Butane is Butane, as it is the parent compound for this series of alkanes.
3. n-Butane has a boiling point of -0.5°C, making it a gas at room temperature and standard pressure.
4. n-Butane is used as a fuel in lighters, camping stoves, and as a propellant in aerosol cans.
5. Structural isomers of n-Butane include isobutane, which has a branched structure.

Review Questions

• Explain the relationship between n-Butane and the class of compounds known as Alkanes.
  • n-Butane is a member of the alkane class of hydrocarbons. Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons with the general formula CnH2n+2, where n represents the number of carbon atoms in the molecule. As a straight-chain alkane with four carbon atoms, n-Butane fits this definition and is considered one of the simplest alkanes after methane.
• Describe how the concept of Isomers relates to the study of n-Butane.
  • Isomers are molecules that have the same molecular formula but different arrangements of atoms in space, resulting in different physical and chemical properties. In the case of n-Butane, it is the simplest straight-chain isomer of the alkane with four carbon atoms. However, there are other isomeric forms of butane, such as isobutane, which have a branched structure. Understanding the concept of isomers is crucial for studying the properties and reactivity of n-Butane in the context of alkanes.
• Evaluate the significance of n-Butane's physical properties, such as its boiling point and state of matter, in the broader context of alkane chemistry.
  • The physical properties of n-Butane, such as its low boiling point of -0.5°C, are important considerations in the study of alkanes and their behavior. The fact that n-Butane is a gas at room temperature and standard pressure is a direct consequence of its molecular structure and intermolecular forces. This property, along with the general trend of increasing boiling points with increasing carbon chain length in alkanes, helps explain the diverse applications of n-Butane, such as its use as a fuel and propellant. Understanding these physical characteristics is essential for predicting and explaining the reactivity and behavior of n-Butane and other alkanes.

Related terms

Alkanes: Alkanes are a class of saturated hydrocarbons with the general formula CnH2n+2, where n represents the number of carbon atoms in the molecule.

Isomers: Isomers are molecules that have the same molecular formula but different arrangements of atoms in space, resulting in different physical and chemical properties.

Structural Isomers: Structural isomers are molecules that have the same molecular formula but different arrangements of atoms in the carbon skeleton.