butane
noun/ˈbjuːteɪn/
Etymology PIE word *gʷṓws IUPAC nomenclature, from but- (“four carbon prefix”) + -ane (“alkane suffix”), the former is derived from the same stem as the foul-smelling carboxylic acid liberated in rancid butter, "butyric acid", hence cognate with butter.
1
Chemistry, Natural sciences, Organic chemistry, Physical sciences A hydrocarbon (either of the two isomers of C₄H₁₀, n-butane and 2-methylpropane) found in gaseous petroleum fractions.
2
Chemistry, Natural sciences, Organic chemistry, Physical sciences The n-butane isomer only.
- Synonyms
- E943a
- Derived terms
- bromobutane, butanediol, butanedione, butanethiol, butanoic, butanol, butyl, chlorobutane, cyclobutane, dibromobutane, dichlorobutane, iodobutane, isobutane, n-butane