Methylacetylene
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Methylacetylene | |
---|---|
Chemical name | Prop-1-yne |
Other names | Methylacetylene Methyl acetylene Propyne |
Chemical formula | C3H4 |
Molecular mass | 40.0639 g/mol |
CAS number | 74-99-7 |
Density | ? g/cm3 |
Melting point | -103 °C |
Boiling point | -23.2 °C |
SMILES | CC#C |
PubChem | 6335 |
EINECS | 200-828-4 |
Disclaimer and references |
Contents |
[edit] Chemical characteristics
Methylacetylene (propyne) is an alkyne with the chemical formula CH3C≡CH. It is a component of MAPP gas, which is commonly used in gas welding.
[edit] Use as a rocket fuel
Research by European space concerns into using light hydrocarbons with liquid oxygen as a relatively high performing propellant combination which would also be less toxic than the commonly used MMH/NTO (monomethylhydrazine/nitrogen tetroxide) systems, showed that propyne would be highly advantageous for craft intended for low Earth orbital operations. This conclusion was reached based upon a specific impulse expected to reach 370s if oxygen is used as oxidiser, a high density, and energy/volume ratio, and the moderate boiling point, which causes the chemical to present fewer problems in storage than for example a fuel that needs to be kept at extremely low temperatures. (See cryogenics.)