Butane is an
organic compound with the formula C
4H
10 that is an
alkane with four
carbon atoms. Butane is a gas at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. The term may refer to either of two
structural isomers,
n-butane or
isobutane (or "methylpropane"), or to a mixture of these
isomers. In the
IUPAC nomenclature, however, "butane" refers only to the
n-butane isomer (which is the isomer with the unbranched structure). Butanes are highly flammable, colorless, easily
liquefied gases. The name butane comes from the roots but- (from
butyric acid) and
-ane.