Butane vs. Isobutane — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 22, 2023
Butane and isobutane are both hydrocarbons with the same molecular formula, C4H10, but they differ in structural arrangement. Butane has a straight-chain structure, whereas isobutane has a branched structure.
Difference Between Butane and Isobutane
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Butane is a straight-chain alkane hydrocarbon with the formula C4H10, commonly used as fuel in lighters and portable stoves. Isobutane, on the other hand, is a branched isomer of butane, often utilized as a refrigerant and a propellant in aerosol sprays.
Butane, with its straight-chain structure, has different physical and chemical properties compared to isobutane. Isobutane, having a more compact, branched structure, has a lower boiling point than butane.
In terms of applications, butane is more commonly found in portable gas stoves and cigarette lighters. Isobutane is frequently used in refrigeration systems and as a propellant in aerosol cans.
Both butane and isobutane are flammable gases at room temperature and are often used in similar applications. However, isobutane is considered to have better cold-weather performance, thanks to its lower boiling point.
Chemically speaking, butane and isobutane are isomers, meaning they have the same chemical formula but different structural arrangements. These structural differences result in varying physical and chemical properties between the two.
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Comparison Chart
Structure
Straight-chain
Branched
Boiling Point
Higher
Lower
Common Uses
Lighters, stoves
Refrigerants, aerosols
Cold-Weather Performance
Less efficient
More efficient
Chemical Classification
Alkane
Isomer of Butane
Compare with Definitions
Butane
A straight-chain hydrocarbon.
Butane is often used in camping stoves.
Isobutane
Commonly used as a refrigerant.
Isobutane is eco-friendlier than some other refrigerants.
Butane
An alkane with four carbon atoms.
Butane has a higher boiling point than propane.
Isobutane
Lower boiling point than butane.
Isobutane performs better in cold weather due to its lower boiling point.
Butane
Volatile and flammable.
Butane gas is used in various industrial applications.
Isobutane
Used as a propellant in aerosols.
Isobutane is commonly found in aerosol sprays.
Butane
A fuel for lighters.
Most disposable lighters contain butane.
Isobutane
A branched hydrocarbon.
Isobutane is used in refrigeration systems.
Butane
Gaseous at room temperature.
Butane should be stored carefully due to its flammability.
Isobutane
An isomer of butane.
Isobutane has the same molecular formula as butane but a different structure.
Butane
Butane () or n-butane is an alkane with the formula C4H10. Butane is a gas at room temperature and atmospheric pressure.
Isobutane
Isobutane, also known as i-butane, 2-methylpropane or methylpropane, is a chemical compound with molecular formula HC(CH3)3. It is an isomer of butane.
Butane
Either of two isomers of a gaseous hydrocarbon, C4H10, produced synthetically from petroleum and used as a household fuel, refrigerant, and aerosol propellant and in the manufacture of synthetic rubber.
Isobutane
(organic compound) A hydrocarbon, a particular isomer of C4H10 found in natural gas.
Butane
(organic compound) A hydrocarbon (either of the two isomers of C4H10 n-butane, and 2-methyl-propane) found in gaseous petroleum fractions.
Butane
The n-butane isomer only.
Butane
An inflammable gaseous saturated hydrocarbon, C4H10, of the marsh gas, or paraffin, series.
Butane
Occurs in natural gas; used in the manufacture of rubber and fuels
Common Curiosities
What is butane?
Butane is a straight-chain alkane hydrocarbon with the formula C4H10.
Where is butane commonly used?
In lighters and portable stoves.
What's the boiling point of butane?
Higher than isobutane's.
Where is isobutane commonly used?
In refrigeration systems and aerosol sprays.
What's the boiling point of isobutane?
Lower than butane's.
What is isobutane?
Isobutane is a branched isomer of butane.
Can butane be used as a refrigerant?
It's less commonly used for that purpose compared to isobutane.
Can isobutane be used in lighters?
Less commonly, as it's better suited for refrigeration and aerosols.
How are butane and isobutane different?
They differ in structural arrangement: butane is straight-chain, while isobutane is branched.
Are they both alkanes?
Yes, both are alkanes but isobutane is an isomer of butane.
Are both flammable?
Yes, both are flammable gases at room temperature.
Are they interchangeable in applications?
Not always, due to their differing properties.
Is butane eco-friendly?
It's less eco-friendly than isobutane as a refrigerant.
Is isobutane eco-friendly?
More so than some other refrigerants.
Are they both gases at room temperature?
Yes, both are gaseous at room temperature.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
