2-Methylbutane

A branched five-carbon alkane, also called isopentane.

Formula
C5H12
Functional group
Alkanes
Molar mass
72.15 g/mol
Also known as
ISOPENTANE, Isoamylhydride, Butane, 2-methyl-, iso-Pentane, 1,1,2-Trimethylethane, Dimethylethylmethane

Overview

A branched five-carbon alkane, also called isopentane.

Branching changes molecular shape and contact; this isomer has a lower boiling point than pentane.

Identifiers

Formula
C5H12
Functional group
Alkanes
Molar mass
72.15 g/mol
Also known as
ISOPENTANE, Isoamylhydride, Butane, 2-methyl-, iso-Pentane, 1,1,2-Trimethylethane, Dimethylethylmethane
Chemical identifiers
SMILES
CCC(C)C
InChI
InChI=1S/C5H12/c1-4-5(2)3/h5H,4H2,1-3H3
PubChem CID
6556

Properties

Melting Point
-159.8 °C
Boiling Point
27.83 °C
Density
0.6201 g/cm cuat 20 °C
Water solubility
In water, 48 mg/L at 25 °C

Related compounds

  • Alkanes

    A branched five-carbon alkane, also called isopentane.

References

  1. PubChem Compound Summary: 2-Methylbutane (CID 6556)National Center for Biotechnology Information · PubChem

    Identity, molecular formula, molecular weight and aliases retrieved via PUG REST on 2026-09-08.

  2. OpenStax Organic Chemistry: Properties of alkanesJohn McMurry · OpenStax · 2023

    Supports the qualitative structure and reactivity context; identity and numerical measurements retain their original references.

  3. Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB): 2-Methylbutane — melting pointHazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

    Retrieved through PubChem PUG View on 2026-09-08. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/6556#section=Melting-Point. Source value, complete property clause or compact miscibility statement retained; absent pressure, temperature or phase conditions are not inferred. Original reference: Haynes, W.M. (ed.). CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. 95th Edition. CRC Press LLC, Boca Raton: FL 2014-2015, p. 3-330

  4. Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB): 2-Methylbutane — boiling pointHazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

    Retrieved through PubChem PUG View on 2026-09-08. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/6556#section=Boiling-Point. Source value, complete property clause or compact miscibility statement retained; absent pressure, temperature or phase conditions are not inferred. Original reference: Haynes, W.M. (ed.). CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. 95th Edition. CRC Press LLC, Boca Raton: FL 2014-2015, p. 3-330

  5. Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB): 2-Methylbutane — densityHazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

    Retrieved through PubChem PUG View on 2026-09-08. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/6556#section=Density. Source value, complete property clause or compact miscibility statement retained; absent pressure, temperature or phase conditions are not inferred. Original reference: Haynes, W.M. (ed.). CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. 95th Edition. CRC Press LLC, Boca Raton: FL 2014-2015, p. 3-330

  6. Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB): 2-Methylbutane — solubilityHazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

    Retrieved through PubChem PUG View on 2026-09-08. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/6556#section=Solubility. Source value, complete property clause or compact miscibility statement retained; absent pressure, temperature or phase conditions are not inferred. Original reference: Riddick, J.A., W.B. Bunger, Sakano T.K. Techniques of Chemistry 4th ed., Volume II. Organic Solvents. New York, NY: John Wiley and Sons., 1985., p. 85