C4H10O represents a group of organic compounds with the molecular formula indicating a combination of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. This formula corresponds to several isomers, each with distinct physical properties. As a supplier of C4H10O and related chemical products, I am well - versed in the details of these substances and am excited to share their physical characteristics.
Isomers of C4H10O
There are several isomers of C4H10O, which can be classified mainly into two groups: alcohols and ethers. The alcohol isomers include 1 - butanol, 2 - butanol, 2 - methyl - 1 - propanol, and 2 - methyl - 2 - propanol. The ether isomers are diethyl ether, methyl propyl ether, and methyl isopropyl ether.


Physical Properties of Alcohol Isomers
- 1 - Butanol (n - butanol)
- Appearance: 1 - Butanol is a clear, colorless liquid at room temperature. It has a characteristic alcoholic odor, which is relatively mild compared to some other short - chain alcohols.
- Boiling Point: The boiling point of 1 - butanol is approximately 117 - 118 °C. This relatively high boiling point is due to the presence of hydrogen bonding between the alcohol molecules. Hydrogen bonds are strong intermolecular forces that require a significant amount of energy to break, resulting in a higher boiling point compared to non - hydrogen - bonded compounds of similar molecular weight.
- Melting Point: It has a melting point of around - 89 °C. This low melting point indicates that the intermolecular forces are not strong enough to hold the molecules in a rigid solid structure at relatively low temperatures.
- Density: The density of 1 - butanol is about 0.81 g/cm³ at 20 °C. This density is slightly lower than that of water, which has a density of 1 g/cm³ at the same temperature.
- Solubility: 1 - butanol is moderately soluble in water. The solubility is limited because the non - polar hydrocarbon chain (the butyl group) in 1 - butanol disrupts the hydrogen - bonding network of water. However, the hydroxyl group (-OH) can form hydrogen bonds with water molecules, allowing for some degree of solubility. It is more soluble in non - polar organic solvents such as hexane and toluene.
- 2 - Butanol
- Appearance: Similar to 1 - butanol, 2 - butanol is a clear, colorless liquid. It has a slightly different odor, which is often described as more pungent than 1 - butanol.
- Boiling Point: The boiling point of 2 - butanol is around 99 - 100 °C. It is lower than that of 1 - butanol because the branching in the 2 - butanol molecule reduces the surface area available for intermolecular interactions, including hydrogen bonding. As a result, less energy is required to separate the molecules during boiling.
- Melting Point: The melting point of 2 - butanol is approximately - 114 °C. The lower melting point compared to 1 - butanol is also related to the molecular structure. The branched structure makes it more difficult for the molecules to pack closely together in a solid lattice, so a lower temperature is needed to form a solid.
- Density: The density of 2 - butanol is about 0.80 g/cm³ at 20 °C, which is slightly lower than that of 1 - butanol.
- Solubility: Its solubility in water is also limited, similar to 1 - butanol. The branched structure has a similar effect on solubility as it does on other physical properties, reducing the interaction with water molecules while still allowing some solubility due to the hydroxyl group.
- 2 - Methyl - 1 - propanol (isobutanol)
- Appearance: It is a clear, colorless liquid with an odor that is similar to other short - chain alcohols.
- Boiling Point: The boiling point of 2 - methyl - 1 - propanol is around 107 - 108 °C. This value is between that of 1 - butanol and 2 - butanol. The branching in the molecule affects the intermolecular forces, but the primary alcohol functional group still allows for significant hydrogen bonding.
- Melting Point: The melting point is approximately - 108 °C. The molecular structure and the resulting intermolecular forces determine this melting point, with the branched structure influencing the packing of molecules in the solid state.
- Density: The density is about 0.81 g/cm³ at 20 °C, similar to 1 - butanol.
- Solubility: It has a solubility in water similar to the other butanol isomers, with the non - polar part of the molecule reducing its solubility in the polar water environment.
- 2 - Methyl - 2 - propanol (tert - butanol)
- Appearance: At room temperature, 2 - methyl - 2 - propanol can exist as a solid or a liquid, depending on the purity and the exact temperature. It is a colorless, crystalline solid or a clear liquid with a characteristic camphor - like odor.
- Boiling Point: The boiling point of 2 - methyl - 2 - propanol is around 82 - 83 °C. This is the lowest among the butanol isomers because of its highly branched structure. The branching significantly reduces the surface area available for intermolecular interactions, including hydrogen bonding, so less energy is needed to vaporize the compound.
- Melting Point: It has a relatively high melting point of around 25 - 26 °C. The compact and symmetric structure of 2 - methyl - 2 - propanol allows the molecules to pack efficiently in a solid lattice, resulting in a higher melting point compared to the other butanol isomers.
- Density: The density is about 0.78 g/cm³ at 20 °C, which is the lowest among the butanol isomers.
- Solubility: 2 - methyl - 2 - propanol is more soluble in water than the other butanol isomers. The highly branched structure reduces the hydrophobic nature of the molecule, and the hydroxyl group can still form hydrogen bonds with water molecules, increasing its solubility.
Physical Properties of Ether Isomers
- Diethyl Ether
- Appearance: Diethyl ether is a clear, colorless, and highly volatile liquid. It has a sweet, characteristic odor that is often associated with its use as an anesthetic in the past.
- Boiling Point: The boiling point of diethyl ether is approximately 34.6 °C. This low boiling point is due to the relatively weak intermolecular forces in ethers. Ethers do not have hydrogen bonding between their molecules (unlike alcohols), so less energy is required to separate the molecules during boiling.
- Melting Point: It has a melting point of around - 116 °C. The weak intermolecular forces also result in a low melting point, as the molecules can easily move past each other at relatively low temperatures.
- Density: The density of diethyl ether is about 0.71 g/cm³ at 20 °C, which is much lower than that of water.
- Solubility: Diethyl ether is slightly soluble in water. The oxygen atom in the ether can act as a hydrogen - bond acceptor, but the non - polar ethyl groups limit its solubility in the polar water environment. It is highly soluble in non - polar organic solvents.
- Methyl Propyl Ether
- Appearance: It is a clear, colorless liquid with a similar odor to diethyl ether.
- Boiling Point: The boiling point of methyl propyl ether is around 38 - 39 °C. The increase in boiling point compared to diethyl ether is due to the slightly larger molecular size and the resulting increase in van der Waals forces.
- Melting Point: The melting point is approximately - 115 °C, which is similar to diethyl ether because the intermolecular forces are still relatively weak.
- Density: The density is about 0.73 g/cm³ at 20 °C.
- Solubility: Similar to diethyl ether, it has limited solubility in water and is more soluble in non - polar organic solvents.
- Methyl Isopropyl Ether
- Appearance: It is a clear, colorless liquid.
- Boiling Point: The boiling point of methyl isopropyl ether is around 31 - 32 °C. The branching in the isopropyl group reduces the surface area available for intermolecular interactions, resulting in a lower boiling point compared to methyl propyl ether.
- Melting Point: The melting point is approximately - 117 °C.
- Density: The density is about 0.72 g/cm³ at 20 °C.
- Solubility: It has solubility characteristics similar to other ethers, with limited solubility in water and high solubility in non - polar solvents.
Applications and Our Supply
The physical properties of C4H10O isomers make them suitable for a wide range of applications. For example, diethyl ether has been used as an anesthetic in the past and is also used as a solvent in organic synthesis. Alcohols like 1 - butanol are used as solvents, in the production of plastics, and as fuel additives.
As a supplier of C4H10O, we ensure the high quality of our products. We also offer related products such as Terpineol CAS 8000 - 41 - 7, Good Quality 90% Geraniol CAS 106 - 24 - 1, and China Factory Supply 99% 1 - Octanol CAS 111 - 87 - 5 With Cheap. These products have their own unique physical and chemical properties and are widely used in the fragrance, flavor, and chemical industries.
If you are interested in purchasing C4H10O or any of our other products, please feel free to contact us for more information and to start a procurement negotiation. We are committed to providing you with the best products and services.
References
- Atkins, P. W., & de Paula, J. (2014). Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences. Oxford University Press.
- McMurry, J. (2016). Organic Chemistry. Cengage Learning.
