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Isobutane, also known as i-butane, 2-methylpropane or methylpropane, is a chemical compound with molecular formula HC(CH3)3.
Isobutane is an isomer of butane. Isobutane is a colourless, odourless gas.
CAS Number: 75-28-5
EC Number: 200-857-2
IUPAC Name: 2-Methylpropane
Chemical Formula: C4H10
Other names: 1730720 [Beilstein], 201-147-5 [EINECS], 270-654-1 [EINECS], 271-009-7 [EINECS], 2-Methylpropane, 75-28-5 [RN], i-butane, Isobutan [German] [ACD/IUPAC Name], iso-butane, Isobutane [ACD/IUPAC Name] [Wiki], Isobutane [French] [ACD/IUPAC Name], Methylpropane, MFCD00008926 [MDL number], Propane, 2-methyl- [ACD/Index Name], (CH3)2CH-CH3, [(3S,5S,8R,9S,10S,13R,14S,17R)-17-[(1R)-1,5-dimethylhexyl]-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-tetradecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-yl] methanesulfonate, 1,1-Dimethylethane, 114438-33-4 [RN], 13183-68-1 [RN], 13275-39-3 [RN], 1605-73-8 [RN], 2-METHYL PROPANE, 2-Methyl-d3-propane-1,1,1,3,3,3-d6, 2-methyl-isobutane-Propane, 2-methylprop-1-ene, 2-METHYL-PROPANE, 2-Methylpropane-2-d, 2-Methylpropane-d10, 4-Methyl-1H-benzimidazole-2-carboxylic acid [ACD/IUPAC Name], CC(C)C [WLN], http:////www.amadischem.com/proen/497092/, http:////www.amadischem.com/proen/589031/, https://www.ebi.ac.uk/chebi/searchId.do?chebiId=CHEBI:30363, iso-C4H10, MEB, methyl-2-propane
Isobutane is the simplest alkane with a tertiary carbon atom.
Isobutane is used as a precursor molecule in the petrochemical industry, for example in the synthesis of isooctane.
Uses
Isobutane is the principal feedstock in alkylation units of refineries. Using isobutane, gasoline-grade "blendstocks" are generated with high branching for good combustion characteristics. Typical products created with isobutane are 2,4-dimethylpentane and especially 2,2,4-trimethylpentane.
Solvent
In the Chevron Phillips slurry process for making high-density polyethylene, isobutane is used as a diluent. As the slurried polyethylene is removed, isobutane is "flashed" off, and condensed, and recycled back into the loop reactor for this purpose.
Precursor to tert-butyl hydroperoxide
Isobutane is oxidized to tert-butyl hydroperoxide, which is subsequently reacted with propylene to yield propylene oxide. The tert-butanol that results as a by-product is typically used to make gasoline additives such as methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE).
Miscellaneous uses
Isobutane is also used as a propellant for aerosol spray cans.
Isobutane is used as part of blended fuels, especially common in fuel canisters used for camping.
Refrigerant
Isobutane is used as a refrigerant. Use in refrigerators started in 1993 when Greenpeace presented the Greenfreeze project with the former East German company Foron [de]. In this regard, blends of pure, dry "isobutane" (R-600a) (that is, isobutane mixtures) have negligible ozone depletion potential and very low global warming potential (having a value of 3.3 times the GWP of carbon dioxide) and can serve as a functional replacement for R-12, R-22 (both of these being commonly known by the trademark Freon), R-134a, and other chlorofluorocarbon or hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants in conventional stationary refrigeration and air conditioning systems.
Isobutane is a colorless gas with a faint petroleum-like odor.
Isobutane is shipped as a liquefied gas under its vapor pressure. Contact with the liquid can cause frostbite.
Isobutane is easily ignited. The vapors are heavier than air. Any leak can either be liquid or vapor.
Isobutane can asphyxiate by the displacement of air. Under prolonged exposure to fire or intense heat the containers may rupture violently and rocket.
Isobutane is an alkane that is propane substituted by a methyl group at position.
Isobutane has a role as a food propellant and a refrigerant.
Isobutane is an alkane and a gas molecular entity.
Industry Uses of Isobutane:
Adhesives and sealant chemicals
Fillers
Finishing agents
Fuels and fuel additives
Functional fluids (closed systems)
Functional fluids (open systems)
Intermediates
Ion exchange agents
Plasticizers
Plating agents and surface treating agents
Processing aids, not otherwise listed
Processing aids, specific to petroleum production
Propellants and blowing agents
Solvents (which become part of product formulation or mixture)
Stored, blended and trans-loaded onto tankers and railcars. Answers based on customer supplied information.
Molar mass: 58.124 g·mol−1
Appearance: Colorless gas
Odor: Odorless
Density : 2.51 kg/m3
Melting point: −159.42 °C
Boiling point: −11.7 °C
Solubility in water: 48.9 mg
Vapor pressure: 3.1 atm
Formula: C4H10 / (CH3)2CHCH3
Molecular mass: 58.1
Boiling point: -12°C
Melting point: -160°C
Consumer Uses of Isobutane:
Adhesives and sealants
Aerosol propellants, plastics manufacturing and foam blowing agents. Answers based on customer supplied information.
Air care products
Fabric, textile, and leather products not covered elsewhere
Fuels and related products
Furniture and furnishings not covered elsewhere
Ink, toner, and colorant products
Insulating foam
Industry Processing Sectors:
Adhesive manufacturing
All other basic organic chemical manufacturing
All other petroleum and coal products manufacturing
Burned as fuel
Construction
Industrial gas manufacturing
Oil and gas drilling, extraction, and support activities
Paint and coating manufacturing
Pesticide, fertilizer, and other agricultural chemical manufacturing
Petrochemical manufacturing
Petroleum lubricating oil and grease manufacturing
Petroleum refineries
Plastic material and resin manufacturing
Plastics product manufacturing
Printing and related support activities
Processing and re-blending. Answers based on customer supplied information.
Rubber product manufacturing
Textiles, apparel, and leather manufacturing
Wholesale and retail trade
fuel or fuel additive
used as fuel
Isobutane is a colorless gas.
Isobutane is used in organic synthesis, as a refrigerant, in motor fuels, and as aerosol propellant, as well as in synthetic rubber, and in instrument calibration fluid.
Isobutane (i-butane) is an isomer of butane.
Isobutane is also an LPG – Liquefied Petroleum Gas – as are butane and propane.
The main use of isobutane is in refineries, as a gasoline – petrol – additive.
However, isobutane is different in some important ways.
Isobutane production is converted from butane (n-butane) in a process called isomerization. The isobutane production process rearranges the atoms into a different molecular configuration.
The component atoms are the same but are arranged in a different geometric structure.
This isomerization happens in something called a butamer unit and includes the use of platinum or another metal catalyst.
In this isobutane production process, only some of the butane is actually converted to isobutane.
After the butamer process, the output mixture goes through a fractionator or deisobutanizer tower that separates the unconverted butane from the isobutane production.
The main use of isobutane is in refineries, as a gasoline – petrol – additive.
There, isobutane is processed through an alkylation unit to make an alkylate.
Isobutane is used to make isooctane, a high octane gasoline component, which increases the octane rating and anti-knock properties of gasoline.
Isobutane is rated at 100 points on the octane rating scale.
In addition to being used as a fuel, isobutane is commonly used as a refrigerant (R600a) and a propellant. Isobutane is an excellent refrigerant and eco-friendly minus the ozone harming properties of CFCs.
Isobutane can be used as a replacement for R-12, R-22, R-134a, and other chlorofluorocarbon or hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants, in conventional refrigeration systems.
Whilst it is flammable, there have been few problems in the millions of refrigeration units worldwide.
Isobutane has very low global warming potential and insignificant ozone depletion potential.
Another important use of isobutane is as a feed stock for plastics.
Isobutane is used to manufacture propylene oxide for use in making polyurethane plastics.
Another use of isobutane is as a solvent.
Isobutane, i-C4H10 is a colourless, flammable, liquified gas with a slight odour.
Applications
Pure isobutane is used:
as a propellant
as a solvent
as a refrigerant
as reagent gas in chemical ionization mass spectrometry
in the manufacturing of calibration mixtures.
About Isobutane
Helpful information
This substance is registered under the REACH Regulation and is manufactured in and / or imported to the European Economic Area, at ≥ 1 000 000 to < 10 000 000 tonnes per annum.
This substance is used by consumers, in articles, by professional workers (widespread uses), in formulation or re-packing, at industrial sites and in manufacturing.
Consumer Uses
Isobutane is used in the following products: anti-freeze products, adhesives and sealants, polishes and waxes, air care products, washing & cleaning products, cosmetics and personal care products, fuels and adsorbents.
Other release to the environment of Isobutane is likely to occur from: indoor use (e.g. machine wash liquids/detergents, automotive care products, paints and coating or adhesives, fragrances and air fresheners), indoor use in close systems with minimal release (e.g. cooling liquids in refrigerators, oil-based electric heaters), outdoor use in close systems with minimal release (e.g. hydraulic liquids in automotive suspension, lubricants in motor oil and break fluids) and outdoor use.
Release to the environment of Isobutane can occur from industrial use: industrial abrasion processing with low release rate (e.g. cutting of textile, cutting, machining or grinding of metal).
Other release to the environment of Isobutane is likely to occur from: outdoor use in long-life materials with low release rate (e.g. metal, wooden and plastic construction and building materials) and indoor use in long-life materials with low release rate (e.g. flooring, furniture, toys, construction materials, curtains, foot-wear, leather products, paper and cardboard products, electronic equipment).
Isobutane can be found in products with material based on: paper (e.g. tissues, feminine hygiene products, nappies, books, magazines, wallpaper), rubber (e.g. tyres, shoes, toys) and plastic (e.g. food packaging and storage, toys, mobile phones).
Widespread uses by professional workers
Isobutane is used in the following products: coating products, fillers, putties, plasters, modelling clay, paper chemicals and dyes and cosmetics and personal care products.
Isobutane is used in the following areas: building & construction work.
Isobutane is used for the manufacture of: textile, leather or fur, chemicals and rubber products.
Release to the environment of Isobutane can occur from industrial use: of substances in closed systems with minimal release and in the production of articles.
Other release to the environment of Isobutane is likely to occur from: indoor use (e.g. machine wash liquids/detergents, automotive care products, paints and coating or adhesives, fragrances and air fresheners), outdoor use, indoor use in close systems with minimal release (e.g. cooling liquids in refrigerators, oil-based electric heaters) and outdoor use in close systems with minimal release (e.g. hydraulic liquids in automotive suspension, lubricants in motor oil and break fluids).
Formulation
Isobutane is used in the following products: adhesives and sealants, coating products, fillers, putties, plasters, modelling clay and paper chemicals and dyes.
Release to the environment of Isobutane can occur from industrial use: formulation of mixtures, in processing aids at industrial sites, formulation in materials, manufacturing of the substance, in the production of articles, as an intermediate step in further manufacturing of another substance (use of intermediates), as processing aid, for thermoplastic manufacture, as processing aid and of substances in closed systems with minimal release.
Uses at industrial sites
Isobutane is used in the following products: fuels.
Isobutane has an industrial use resulting in manufacture of another substance (use of intermediates).
Isobutane is used in the following areas: formulation of mixtures and/or re-packaging.
Isobutane is used for the manufacture of: chemicals.
Release to the environment of Isobutane can occur from industrial use: in processing aids at industrial sites, of substances in closed systems with minimal release, as an intermediate step in further manufacturing of another substance (use of intermediates), in the production of articles, manufacturing of the substance, for thermoplastic manufacture and as processing aid.
Manufacture
Release to the environment of Isobutane can occur from industrial use: manufacturing of the substance, as an intermediate step in further manufacturing of another substance (use of intermediates), in processing aids at industrial sites and as processing aid.
Isobutane, also known as i-butane, 2 methylpropane or methylpropane, is a chemical compound with molecular formula HC(CH3)3.
Isobutane is a colourless flammable gas without odour.
Isobutane, is a pure hydrocarbon (HC) which is used as a blowing agent for extruded polystyrene insulation boards (XPS), polypropylene, polyurethane foams, soundproofing and waterproofing solutions.
Isobutane can be also used as a propellant gas for all kind of aerosol sprays. Isobutane is widely used in construction materials, paints and coatings, household chemicals and cosmetic products.
Isobutane is an branched-chain isomer of normal butane.
Isobutane is particularly valuable in a refinery as a feedstock to the alkyaltion unit, where it is combined with either propylene or butylene to make alkylate (a high-quality gasoline blend stock).
Isobutane is produced in a variety of conversion units in a refinery. However, when a refinery has an alky there is usually a need to make additional isobutane "on purpose" to keep the alky full. This is done by isomerizing normal butane in a C4 Isomerization unit.
Applications
Isobutane is used as an Aerosol propellant on its own or mixed with other hydrocarbons.
Isobutane is also used for foam blowing again either as a pure or part of a mixture.
Isobutane is also commonly used as a component in calibration gases for the gas, oil and chemical industries.
Isobutane is used in refinery alkylation to enhance the octane content of motor gasoline.
Isobutane was used as the chemical ionization gas, and the filament heated from 0– 500 mA at 20 mA s−1.
Isobutane (Cas No 75-28-5), if it contains ≥ 0,1 % w/w Butadiene 465.
Isobutane is transferred on-site from tank trucks directly to railcars.
Isobutane is used as a solvent carrier, blowing/propellant agent, fuel or fuel additive and formulation component.
Isobutane is also used in some products such as cosmetic/beauty preparations, air fresheners, cleaners, activator/primers and various coatings.
Based on the most recent data available, isobutane containing very low amounts of 1,3-butadiene is manufactured and imported into Canada.
Chemical Properties
colourless odourless gas (or colourless cryogenic liquid)
Chemical Properties
2-Methylpropane (isobutane), C4H10, a flammable gas, occurs in small quantities in natural gas and crude oil.
Isobutane has been detected in urban atmospheres at concentrations of 44–74 ppb.
Isobutane also evolves from natural sources and has been measured in diesel exhaust at 1.4–11 ppm and in cigarette smoke at 10 ppm. The partition coefficient of propane between olive oil and air at 37℃ is 12 using the method described by Sato and Nakajima and Perbellini et al.. The lower explosive limit is 18,000 ppm in air.
Uses
In the production of propylene glycols and oxides and polyurethane foams and resins; as component of motor fuels and aerosol propellants; as an industrial gas carrier and general fuel source
Isobutane occurs in petroleum, natural gas,and petroleum cracking products.
Isobutane is usedas a fuel gas or a liquefied petroleum gas.
Isobutane is also used in organic synthesis.
Organic synthesis, refrigerant, motor fuels, aerosol propellant, synthetic rubber, instrument calibration fluid.
General Description
Isobutane is a colorless gas with a faint petroleum-like odor.
Isobutane is shipped as a liquefied gas under its vapor pressure. Contact with the liquid can cause frostbite. ISOBUTANE is easily ignited. The vapors are heavier than air. Any leak can either be liquid or vapor.
Isobutane can asphyxiate by the displacement of air. Under prolonged exposure to fire or intense heat the containers may rupture violently and rocket.
