Isobutane

Isobutane, also known as methylpropane or 2-methylpropane, is an alkane, isomeric with butane. Recent concerns with depletion of the ozone layer by freon gases have led to increased use of isobutane as a gas for refrigeration systems, especially in domestic refrigerators and freezers, and as a propellant in aerosol sprays. When used as a refrigerant or a propellant, isobutane is also known as R-600a. It is used as a feedstock in the petrochemical industry, for example in the synthesis of isooctane.^[1]

Nomenclature

  Isobutane is the trivial name retained by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) in its 1993 Recommendations for the Nomenclature of Organic Chemistry.^[2]

Methylpropane is the systematic name. The substituent number (2-) is unnecessary because there is no isomer of this molecule with methylpropane as part of its name.

References

1. ^ Patent Watch, July 31, 2006.
2. ^ Panico, R.; & Powell, W. H. (Eds.) (1994). A Guide to IUPAC Nomenclature of Organic Compounds 1993. Oxford: Blackwell Science. ISBN 0-632-03488-2.  http://www.acdlabs.com/iupac/nomenclature/93/r93_679.htm

• IUPAC Nomenclature of Organic Chemistry (online version of the "Blue Book")
• Molview from bluerhinos.co.uk See Isobutane in 3D
• Data from Air Liquide