butene

Chemical properties

A colorless liquefied petroleum gas. Soluble in most organic solvents; insoluble in water.

The Uses of butene

Polymer and alkylate gasoline; polybutenes; butadiene; intermediate for C 4 and C 5 aldehy- des, alcohols, and other derivatives; production of maleic anhydride by catalytic oxidation.

Definition

ChEBI: But-1-ene is a butene with unsaturation at position 1.

General Description

An easily liquefied colorless gas boiling from 20.7 to 38°F. Insoluble in water. Contact with the unconfined liquid can cause frostbite by evaporative cooling. Any leak can be either liquid or vapor. Can asphyxiate by the displacement of air. Under prolonged exposure to intense heat containers may rupture violently and rocket.

Air & Water Reactions

Highly flammable. Insoluble in water.

Reactivity Profile

butene may react vigorously with strong oxidizing agents. Easily ignited and burns well in air. Reacts exothermically with reducing agents to release gaseous hydrogen.

Hazard

Asphyxiant gas. Highly flammable, flammable limits in air 1.6–9.3% by volume. Dan- gerous fire and explosion risk.

Health Hazard

May act as an asphyxiant or slight anesthetic at high vapor concentrations. Vapor concentrations are not usually a hazard at room temperature except in enclosed spaces.

Fire Hazard

Behavior in Fire: Containers may explode in fire. Vapor is heavier than air and may travel long distance to a source of ignition and flash back.

Flammability and Explosibility

Extremely flammable

Safety Profile

A simple asphyxlant. Very dangerous fire hazard when exposed to heat, flame, or oxidizers. To fight fire, stop flow of gas. Moderately explosive when exposed to flame. Mxtures with aluminum tetrahydroborate explode after an induction period. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and fumes.