Butane

Overview

A straight-chain alkane with distinct anti and gauche conformations.

Rotation about the middle bond changes the relative positions of its two methyl groups. The anti arrangement keeps them farther apart than the gauche arrangement. Both are conformations of butane; 2-methylpropane instead has different carbon connectivity.

Identifiers

Formula

C4H10

Functional group

Alkanes

Molar mass

58.12 g/mol

Also known as

n-Butane, Diethyl, Methylethylmethane, Butanen, Butani, Butyl hydride

Properties

Melting Point

-138.3 °C

Boiling Point

-0.50 °C

Density

0.573 g/cu cm at 25 °C (p>1 atm)

Water solubility

In water, 61.2 mg/L at 25 °C

Related compounds

• Alkanes

  A straight-chain alkane with distinct anti and gauche conformations.

References

1. PubChem Compound Summary: Butane (CID 7843)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: Conformations of other alkanesJohn McMurry · OpenStax · 2023

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

3. OpenStax Organic Chemistry: Alkanes and alkane isomersJohn McMurry · OpenStax · 2023

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

4. Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB): Butane — melting pointHazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

   Retrieved through PubChem PUG View on 2026-09-08. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/7843#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. 94th Edition. CRC Press LLC, Boca Raton: FL 2013-2014, p. 3-76

5. Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB): Butane — boiling pointHazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

   Retrieved through PubChem PUG View on 2026-09-08. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/7843#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. 94th Edition. CRC Press LLC, Boca Raton: FL 2013-2014, p. 3-76

6. Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB): Butane — densityHazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

   Retrieved through PubChem PUG View on 2026-09-08. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/7843#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. 94th Edition. CRC Press LLC, Boca Raton: FL 2013-2014, p. 3-76

7. Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB): Butane — solubilityHazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

   Retrieved through PubChem PUG View on 2026-09-08. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/7843#section=Solubility. Source value, complete property clause or compact miscibility statement retained; absent pressure, temperature or phase conditions are not inferred. Original reference: McAuliffe C; Nature 200: 1092-3 (1963)