2-Butene, C4H8, can occur in trans or cis conformation;
the former is the more stable form. It is a colorless,
extremely flammable gas. 2-Butene occurs in coal gas
and has been detected in diesel exhaust. The more
highly reactive trans-2-butene occurs at much lower concentrations
in the atmosphere than other comparable
hydrocarbons.
trans-2-Butene can be used as a monomer unit to produce high molecular weight polyolefins with well-defined microstructures by nickle-catalyzed polymerization reaction. It is also used as a reactant in the isomerization reaction to produce the corresponding isomer using acid-activated catalysts.
2-Butene has been recovered from refining gases or produced
by petroleum cracking. It is a component in the
production of gasolines, butadiene, and a variety of other
chemicals.
ChEBI: But-2-ene is a butene.
A colorless liquefied petroleum gas. An asphyxiant. Flammability limits of 1.8-9% by volume.
Highly flammable. Insoluble in water.
The unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as 2-BUTENE, are generally much more reactive than the alkanes. Strong oxidizers may react vigorously with them. Reducing agents can react exothermically to release gaseous hydrogen. In the presence of various catalysts (such as acids) or initiators, compounds in this class can undergo very exothermic addition polymerization reactions. Aluminum borohydride reacts with alkenes and in the presence of oxygen, combustion is initiated even in the absence of moisture.
The gas is dried with CaH2 and purified by gas chromatography. [Beilstein 1 H 205, 1 II 176, 1 III 730, 1 IV 781.] HIGHLY FLAMMABLE.
