butane

butane , C ₄ H ₁₀ , gaseous alkane , a hydrocarbon that is obtained from natural gas or by refining petroleum. It can be liquefied at room temperature by compression. There are two structural isomers of butane. In normal butane, or n -butane, the four carbon atoms are joined in a continuous, unbranched chain; in isobutane, or 2-methylpropane, three of the carbon atoms are joined to the fourth by single bonds, resulting in a branched structure. The two isomers differ in certain of their chemical and physical properties, e.g., liquid n -butane has a higher boiling point (-0.6°C) at atmospheric pressure than that of liquid isobutane (-10.2°C).

butane (C₄H₁₀) Colourless flammable gas, the fourth member of the alkane series of hydrocarbons. It has two isomers: n-butane is obtained from natural gas; isobutane is a by-product of petroleum refining. Butane can be liquefied under pressure at normal temperatures and is used in the manufacture of fuel gas and synthetic rubber. Properties: b.p. (n-butane) −0.3°C (31.5°F) and (isobutane) −10.3°C (13.46°F).

bu·tane / ˈbyoōˌtān/ • n. Chem. a flammable hydrocarbon gas, CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₃, that is a constituent of petroleum and is used in bottled form as a fuel. It is a member of the alkane series.