# Safety data for butane

Click here for data on butane in student-friendly format, from the HSci project

Glossary of terms on this data sheet.

The information on this web page is provided to help you to work safely, but it is intended to be an overview of hazards, not a replacement for a full Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). MSDS forms can be downloaded from the web sites of many chemical suppliers.

## General

Synonyms: n-butane, methylethylethane, diethyl, liquefied petroleum gas, LPG
Molecular formula: C4H10
CAS No: 106-97-8
EINECS No: 203-448-7

## Physical data

Appearance: colourless gas
Melting point: -138.4 C
Boiling point: 0.5 C
Vapour density: 2.11 (air = 1)
Vapour pressure: 2.1 atm at 21.1 C
Density (g cm-3): 0.579
Flash point: -60 C
Explosion limits: 1.8 - 8.4 %
Autoignition temperature: 430 C
Water solubility: 61 mg/l at 20 C

## Stability

Stable. Extremely flammable. Readily forms explosive mixtures with air. Note low flash point. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents, strong acids, strong alkalies.

## Toxicology

May be harmful if inhaled. Can cause rapid suffocation. Eye irritant. Narcotic.

Toxicity data
(The meaning of any abbreviations which appear in this section is given here.)
IHL-RAT LC50 658 g/m3/4h
IHL-MUS LC50 680 g/m3/2h

Risk phrases
(The meaning of any risk phrases which appear in this section is given here.)
R12.

## Transport information

(The meaning of any UN hazard codes which appear in this section is given here.)
UN No. 2037. Major hazard class 2.1. Subsidiary risk 3. EMS No. 2.0-13.

## Personal protection

Safety glasses, good ventilation. Remove all sources of ignition from the working area.

Safety phrases
(The meaning of any safety phrases which appear in this section is given here.)
S9 S16 S33.

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