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