Butylene

Butylene (also known as butene) is an organic compound with the formula C₄H₈. It is a type of alkene (a hydrocarbon with a carbon-carbon double bond) and is one of the four isomers of butene. Butylene is a colorless gas that is used in the production of polymers and petrochemicals.

Isomers

Butylene has four isomers:

• 1-Butene - A linear alpha-olefin.
• cis-2-Butene - A cis-isomer of 2-butene.
• trans-2-Butene - A trans-isomer of 2-butene.
• Isobutene (or isobutylene) - A branched isomer.

Production

Butylene is produced through several methods, including:

• Catalytic cracking of petroleum.
• Dehydrogenation of butane.
• Steam cracking of naphtha.

Applications

Butylene is used in various industrial applications, such as:

• Production of polybutene, a type of polymer.
• As a comonomer in the production of polyethylene.
• In the manufacture of butyl rubber.
• As an intermediate in the production of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), a gasoline additive.

Safety and Handling

Butylene is a flammable gas and should be handled with care. It can form explosive mixtures with air and should be stored in a well-ventilated area away from sources of ignition.

See also

• Alkene
• Polymer
• Petrochemical
• Butane
• Isobutene