Butane
Butane is an alkane hydrocarbon with the empirical formula C4H10. It has the following liquefied gas that is used extensively as a fuel for cigarette lighters and portable stoves.
Butane exists as two isomers:
n-butane is a fully hydrogenated linear chain of four carbon atoms: CH3CH2CH2CH3. Its boiling point is −0.6 °C and its melting point is −138.3 °C.
i-butane, or isobutane, has the formula CH3CH(CH3)2, and the systematic name 2-methylpropane. Its boiling point is −11.7 °C and its melting point is −159.6 °C.
Recent concerns with depletion of the ozone layer by freon gases have led to increased use of isobutane as a gas for refrigeration systems, especially in domestic refrigerators and freezers.
When used as a refrigerant, isobutane is also known as R600a.
Alkanes
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methane
CH4
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ethane
C2H6
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propane
C3H8
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butane
C4H10
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pentane
C5H12
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hexane
C6H14
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heptane
C7H16
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octane
C8H18
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nonane
C9H20
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decane
C10H22
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undecane
C11H24
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