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Methane

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Identification
Molecular formula
CH4
CAS number
74-82-8
IUPAC name
methane
State
State

At room temperature, methane is in a gaseous state. It is non-polar, which makes it relatively unreactive under standard conditions.

Melting point (Celsius)
-182.50
Melting point (Kelvin)
90.70
Boiling point (Celsius)
-161.50
Boiling point (Kelvin)
111.70
General information
Molecular weight
16.04g/mol
Molar mass
16.0430g/mol
Density
0.6560g/cm3
Appearence

Methane is a colorless and odorless gas at room temperature. In its pure form, it is invisible and has no distinct smell. For handling and safety purposes, odorants are often added to methane to help detect leaks.

Comment on solubility

Solubility of Methane (CH4)

Methane, with the chemical formula CH4, is a simple hydrocarbon that displays unique properties regarding its solubility. It is classified as a non-polar molecule, which significantly influences its interaction with solvents.

Key Aspects of Solubility:

  • Insolubility in Water: Methane is practically insoluble in water due to its non-polar nature. Water, being a polar solvent, does not interact well with non-polar compounds.
  • Solubility in Organic Solvents: It demonstrates good solubility in non-polar organic solvents such as hexane or benzene. This is due to similar interactions between non-polar molecules.
  • Temperature Effects: While methane's solubility in water is minimal, it can be influenced by temperature. Generally, an increase in temperature decreases solubility for gases.

In conclusion, the solubility behavior of methane showcases the fundamental principle that similar types of polarity lead to better solubility. As stated, "like dissolves like," highlighting the contrasting solubility in polar versus non-polar environments.

Interesting facts

Interesting Facts About Methane

Methane, often referred to as the simplest of all hydrocarbons, is a remarkable compound with several interesting aspects:

  • Primary Component of Natural Gas: Methane is the major component of natural gas, making it a critical energy source worldwide.
  • Greenhouse Gas: While methane is an important fuel, it is also a potent greenhouse gas, with a warming potential significantly higher than carbon dioxide over a short time frame.
  • Biological Origins: Methane is produced naturally by the decomposition of organic matter in environments such as wetlands, as well as by enteric fermentation in ruminants like cows.
  • Industrial Uses: Beyond its role as an energy source, methane serves as a feedstock for the production of hydrogen and as a starting material for various chemicals, including methanol.
  • Simple Structure: Composed of just one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms, methane’s structure is fundamental to organic chemistry and serves as a building block for more complex hydrocarbons.

It’s fascinating to note that methane is not just an environmental concern but also offers significant potential for energy production. As the world shifts towards cleaner energy sources, understanding methane's dual role in our ecosystem becomes increasingly important.

As the famous chemist Richard Feynman once said, "What I cannot create, I do not understand." By studying methane, we gain insight not only into chemistry but also into the broader implications of our energy choices on the planet.

Synonyms
methane
Methyl hydride
Marsh gas
Biogas
Fire Damp
74-82-8
R 50 (refrigerant)
metano
methan
tetrahydridocarbon
Methane in gaseus state
HSDB 167
150036-83-2
BRN 1718732
UNII-OP0UW79H66
UN1971
UN1972
OP0UW79H66
CH4
CHEBI:16183
R 50
Methane-12C
AC1L18XA
CHEMBL17564
CTK2H7747
AC1Q2825
AKOS005166816
C01438
0CB689EE-132E-4559-A597-C79A40192203
C5M
02329_FLUKA
14493-06-2
295477_ALDRICH
3B4-2254
463035_ALDRICH
490210_ALDRICH
8006-14-2
AG-E-08601
AR-1A0383
AR-1A0497
Biodiesels
KST-1A1445
KST-1A1563
MolPort-018-618-244
Natural gas
EINECS 200-812-7
DTXSID8025545
EC 200-812-7
4-01-00-00003 (Beilstein Handbook Reference)
MFCD00133992
MFCD00144065
METHANE (EP MONOGRAPH)
METHANE [EP MONOGRAPH]
MFCD00146977
MFCD00211867
MFCD31654066
Methylidyne radical
a methyl group
GO quantum dots
Gas, natural
N-doped Grpahene
high purity SWNTs
N-doped MWCNTs
74C
MWCNTs water paste
Flash-ignited MWNTs
Electrode pole pieces
Liquified natural gas
Synthetic natural gas
Methane [WHO-DD]
rGO-NH-Carboimidazole
MWNTs water suspension
GO quantum dots powder
Nitrogen doped CMK-3
MWNTs DMSO suspension
PEG@GO
PEI@GO
MWCNTs water suspension
METHANE [HSDB]
GO quantum dots(Powder)
METHANE [MI]
MWCNTs(long) 4-6nm
MWNTs(short) 4-6 nm
NanoIntegris Dielectic ink
GrapheitizedMWNT 8-15nm
MWCNTs(long) 5-15nm
GO quantum dots (solvent)
Grapheitized MWNTs >50nm
Methane, >=99.0%
Customized MWNTs dispersion
GO quantum dots(20mg/ml)
Methane, analytical standard
MWNTs(short) 5-15 nm
MWNTs(short) 8-15 nm
4QQN74LH4O
CH2H2
CMK-3
CMK-8
MWCNTs(long) 20-30nm
MWCNTs(long) 8-15 nm
UNII-6GRV67N0U2
MWNTs(short) 20-30 nm
MWNTs(short) 30-50 nm
Nanointegris ultrapure SWCNTs
UN 1971 (Salt/Mix)
UN 1972 (Salt/Mix)
Graphitized MWNTs 10-20nm
Low Purity Carboxylic SWCNTs
GO quantum dots(C: 1mg/ml)
Grapheitized MWNTs 20-30nm
Grapheitized MWNTs 30-50nm
Low purity Hydroxylate SWCNTs
MWNTs ethyl acetate suspension
MWNTs Butyl acetate suspension
4XYU5U00C4
6GRV67N0U2
Carboxyl MWCNTs(long) <8 nm
Carboxyl MWCNTs(long) 4-6nm
DTXCID705545
GO quantum dots yellow(Powder)
Graphene nanopowder (6-8 nm)
Industrial grade MWNTs 50 nm
MWNTs (long) 10-20 nm
Carboxyl MWCNTs(short) 4-6nm
CHEMBL2106049
Diamond nanopowder (3-4 nm)
Diamond nanopowder (4-15 nm)
Conductive Flexible TPU Filament
GO quantum dots yellow(1mg/ml)
Graphene nanopowder (1-5 nm)
High Purified Carboxylic SWCNTS
Ultrapure SWCNTs NMP dispersion
DTXSID50179391
High Purified Hydroxylate SWCNTS
Lowpurity hydroxy SWCNTs (long)
NanoIntegris metallic SWCNTs70%
NanoIntegris metallic SWCNTs90%
NanoIntegris metallic SWCNTs95%
Lowpurity carboxyl SWCNTs (long)
Carbon powder (20~50 micron)
Graphene nanopowder (11-15 nm)
Industrial grade MWNTs 10-20nm
Industrial grade MWNTs 20-30nm
Industrial grade MWNTs 50-60nm
Industrial grade MWNTs 8-15 nm
Industrial grade MWNTs 9-16 nm
MWNTs isopropyl alcohol suspension
Carboxyl MWCNTs(short) 5-15 nm
Carboxyl MWCNTs(short) 8-15 nm
Industrial grade MWCNTs 8-15 nm
NanoIntegris metallic SWCNTs 98%
NanoIntegris metallic SWCNTs 99%
High purity SWNTs 0.7-2.5 nm
Highpurity carboxyl SWCNTs (short)
Industrial grade MWNTs 13-17 nm
Industrial Grade MWNTs 20-40 nm
Largeinner diameter thin-wall MWNTs
Ultrapure SWCNTs aqueous dispersion
EINECS 232-343-9
EINECS 240-383-3
High purity carboxyl SWCNTs (long)
Grapheitized Carboxyl MWNTs >50 nm
Grapheitized Carboxyl MWNTs 8-15nm
GrapheitizedCarboxyl MWNTs 10-20nm
GrapheitizedCarboxyl MWNTs 20-30nm
GrapheitizedCarboxyl MWNTs 30-50nm
MFCD06411993
MFCD07370731
NA1361
NanoIntegris SWCNTs with high purity
Hydroxylate MWNTs(short) 30-50 nm
Grapheitized Hydroxylate MWNT 8-15nm
GrapheitizedHydroxylate MWNTs >50 nm
Industrial Carboxylic SWCNTs 1-2 nm
DB09278
FC31972
GrapheitizedHydroxylate MWNTs 10-20nm
GrapheitizedHydroxylate MWNTs 30-50nm
HIPCO pure Metallic Hipco SWNTs solid
Industrial Hydroxylate SWCNTs 1-2 nm
N-doped MWCNTs (N Content2.98wt%)
NanoIntegris metallic SWCNTs70% solid
NanoIntegris metallic SWCNTs90% solid
NanoIntegris metallic SWCNTs95% solid
HIPCO Semiconducting Hipco SWNTs solid
N-doped MWCNTS (N Content3.00wt%)
NanoIntegris semiconductive SWCNTs 90%
NanoIntegris semiconductive SWCNTs 95%
NanoIntegris semiconductive SWCNTs 98%
NanoIntegris semiconductive SWCNTs 99%
Carboxyl MWCNTs water paste (~10wt%)
Grapheitized Hydroxylate MWNTs 20-30nm
High Purified Large Surface Area SWCNTS
NanoIntegris metallic SWCNTs 98% solid
NanoIntegris metallic SWCNTs 99% solid
4H-Pyrrolo[1,2-d][1,4]oxazocine-9-carboxaldehyde,1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-6-hydroxy-4,5-dimethyl-2-oxo-, (4R,5R,6S)-rel-
Carboxyl MWCNTs water paste (~2.7wt%)
DA-51585
FG157042
High-Ni Calibration series, O 38x15 mm
HIPCO pure Metallic Hipco SWNTs Aqueous
HIPCO Semiconducting Hipco SWNTs Aqueous
Methane, electronic grade, >=99.998%
PD053877
Short ultrapure SWCNTs aqueous dispersion
Ultrapure Short SWCNTs aqueous dispersion
Industrial grade carboxylation MWNTs 50nm
Methane, Messer(R) CANGas, 99.999%
NanoIntegris semiconductive SWCNTs 99.9%
Single Layer H-BN Film on SIO2 substrate
Graphite powder (Natural flakes) (1 micron)
NS00004509
NS00081852
NS00093167
Carboxylic ultrapure SWCNTs aqueous dispersion
NanoIntegris semiconductive SWCNTs 90% solid
NanoIntegris semiconductive SWCNTs 95% solid
Super activated carbon nanopowder (<100 nm)
EC 231-953-2
EC 231-955-3
EC 240-383-3
High concentration MWCNTs water paste(~14wt%)
High purity Carboxyl SWCNTs aqueous dispersion
Industrial grade carboxylation MWNTs 20-40 nm
Industrial grade hydroxylation MWCNTs 10-30nm
Industrial grade hydroxylation MWCNTs 20-40nm
Q37129
Activated Charcoal Norit(R) , powder, from peat
NanoIntegris semiconductive SWCNTs 99.9% solid
Methane-12C, 13C-depleted, 99.9 atom % 12C
Q866179
IsoSol-S100 Pure SemiconductingSWNT+Dielectric ink
Q3333711
Q6823951
Graphitized carbon black - Partical size 100-300um
Q11172462
Graphene powder, 99% C, Nanoparticle diameter 3-10nm
High concentration carboxyl MWCNTs water paste(~13wt%)
Nanointegris SWCNTs with small diameter Fe Catalyst 35%
Nanointegris SWCNTs with small diameter Fe Catalyst 5%
Nanointegris SWCNTs with small diameter Fe Catalyst15%
Methane, compressed or natural gas, compressed (with high methane content)
Charcoal briquettes, shell, screenings, wood, etc. [NA1361] [Spontaneously combustible]
Graphene nanoplatelets aggregates - (sub-micron particles, surface area 500m2/g
200-812-7
MeH
Methane, compressed or natural gas, compressed (with high methane content) [UN1971] [Flammable gas]
Methane, refrigerated liquid (cryogenic liquid) or natural gas, refrigerated liquid (cryogenic liquid) (with high methane content)
Methane, refrigerated liquid (cryogenic liquid) or natural gas, refrigerated liquid (cryogenic liquid) (with high methane content) [UN1972] [Flammable gas]