2-BUTENE

Chemical properties

colourless gas

Chemical properties

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.

The Uses of 2-BUTENE

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.

Production Methods

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.

Definition

ChEBI: But-2-ene is a butene.

General Description

A colorless liquefied petroleum gas. An asphyxiant. Flammability limits of 1.8-9% by volume.

Air & Water Reactions

Highly flammable. Insoluble in water.

Reactivity Profile

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.

Purification Methods

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.