The common name of Butene is butylene.
Butene, with the chemical formula C4H8, is an alkene. This means it's a hydrocarbon containing a carbon-carbon double bond. The term "butene" itself can refer to several isomeric compounds, including 1-butene, 2-butene (cis- and trans-), and isobutylene (or methylpropene). All of these are often collectively referred to as butylenes. These are colorless gases often found in crude oil, although generally in concentrations too low for efficient extraction.
Here's a breakdown of some key aspects:
- Isomers: Butene exists as different isomers because the double bond and methyl group can be positioned differently within the four-carbon chain.
- Occurrence: It is created through crude oil refining, primarily using catalytic and thermal cracking methods.
- Uses: Butylenes are important in the production of high-octane gasoline and as building blocks in the polymer industry. They can be used to make polymers like polybutylene and copolymers with other monomers.
