Butane vs Methane - Difference and Comparison

Table of Contents

Butane and methane are hydrocarbons from the same chemical family compounds known as alkanes. They are components of natural gas and extraction of oil.

Comparison chart

Differences — Similarities —

Butane versus Methane comparison chart

	Butane	Methane
CAS number	106-97-8 Y	74-82-8 Y
PubChem	7843	297
ChemSpider	7555	291
SMILES	CCCC	C
InChI	1/C4H10/c1-3-4-2/h3-4H2,1-2H3	1/CH4/h1H4
Molecular formula	C4H10	CH4
Molar mass	58.12 g mol−1	16.042 g/mol
Appearance	Colorless gas	Colorless gas
Density	2.48 kg/m3, gas (15 °C, 1 atm) 600 kg/m3, liquid (0 °C, 1 atm)	0.717 kg/m3, gas 415 kg/m3 liquid
Melting point	−138.4 °C (135.4 K)	-182.5 °C, 91 K, -297 °F
Boiling point	−0.5 °C (272.6 K)	-161.6 °C, 112 K, -259 °F
Solubility in water	6.1 mg/100 ml (20 °C)	35 mg/L (17 °C)
MSDS	External MSDS	External MSDS
NFPA 704	4 1 0	4 1 0
Flash point	−60 °C	-188 °C
Explosive limits	1.8 - 8.4%	5 – 15%
Related alkanes	Propane; Pentane	Ethane, propane
Related compounds	Isobutane; Cyclobutane	Methanol, chloromethane, formic acid, formaldehyde, silane
Structure and properties	n, εr, etc.	n, εr, etc.
Thermodynamic data	Phase behaviour Solid, liquid, gas	Phase behaviour Solid, liquid, gas
Spectral data	UV, IR, NMR, MS	UV, IR, NMR, MS
Uses	Butane is used in refrigeration, cigarette lighters, heating as LPG or liquefied petroleum gas.	Methane is an energy source used for heating purposes.
Harmful effects	Butane can cause asphyxiation and ventricular fibrillation.	Methane is a potent greenhouse gas. It can form explosive mixtures with air.
Sources	Crude oil, natural gas.	Natural gas fields, biogas production, atmospheric methane, extra terrestrial methane.

Chemical formula and Molecular structure of methane vs butane

Butane is C4H10 while methane has the chemical formula – CH4. Thus there are four hydrogen atoms in a methane molecule while there ten hydrogen atoms in a butane molecule. The molecule of methane forms a tetrahedral structure while butane is a linear structure.

Methane molecule - 3D rendering

Methane molecule - structural formula determined using microwave spectroscopy

Butane molecule - 3-dimensional rendering

Butane molecule - chemical formula

Chemical Reactions of methane and butane

Butane reacts with oxygen to form carbon dioxide and water vapor. Under conditions of limited oxygen, butane can form carbon monoxide or charred carbon. It reacts with chlorine to give chlorobutanes and other derivatives. Methane undergoes combustion to give formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and finally carbon dioxide and water vapor. The process is known as pyrolysis.

Ease in Handling

Both methane and butane are odorless gases at room temperatures. Butane can be easily liquefied hence it is sold as fuel for camping and cooking. It is mixed with propane and other hydrocarbons to from LPG which is commercially used for heating and cooking purposes. Methane is difficult to transport and is transported by pipelines and LNG carriers.

Unlike methane which is a stubborn gas in normal pressure and temperature, butane turns into a liquid when compressed. This property is attributed to the weak central carbon atom bonds. As soon as this liquefied gas comes in contact with air, it reacts with ignition source and become inflammable.

Isomers

Butane exhibits structural isomerism unlike methane and has two isomers, n-butane and iso-butane. Methane does not exhibit isomerism.

Uses of methane vs butane

Butane is used in deodorants, cigarette lighters, cooking and heating gas cylinders, propellant in aerosol sprays and refrigerants etc. Methane also known as marsh or swamp gas is used for firing electrical generation stations, power automobiles etc.

Sources

Methane is found in wetlands and oceans, atmosphere, human sources like burning fuel, raising livestock, fermentation of organic matter etc. Butane can be obtained as a byproduct during extraction of crude oil and is a component of natural gas.