Tetramethylbutane

Tetramethylbutane
Names
IUPAC name
2,2,3,3-Tetramethylbutane[1]
Identifiers
594-82-1 Yes
ChemSpider 11185 
EC number 209-855-6
Jmol-3D images Image
PubChem 11675
UN number 1325
Properties
Molecular formula
C8H18
Molar mass 114.23 g·mol−1
Appearance White, opaque, waxy crystals
Odor Odorless
Melting point 98 °C; 208 °F; 371 K
Boiling point 106.0 °C; 222.7 °F; 379.1 K
2.9 nmol Pa−1 kg−1
Thermochemistry
Specific
heat capacity (C)
232.2 J K−1 mol−1 (at 2.8 °C)
273.76 J K−1 mol−1
Std enthalpy of
formation (ΔfHo298)
−270.3 – −267.9 kJ mol−1
Std enthalpy of
combustion (ΔcHo298)
−5.4526 – −5.4504 MJ mol−1
Hazards
EU Index 601-009-00-8
EU classification F Xn N
R-phrases R11, R38, R65, R67, R50/53
S-phrases (S2), S16, S29, S33
Flash point 4 °C (39 °F; 277 K)
Explosive limits 1–?%
Related compounds
Related alkanes
Except where noted otherwise, data is given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C (77 °F), 100 kPa)
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Infobox references

Tetramethylbutane, sometimes called hexamethylethane, is a hydrocarbon with formula C8H18 or (H3C-)3C-C(-CH3)3. It is the most heavily branched and most compact of the many octane isomers, the only one with a butane (C4) backbone. Because of its highly symmetrical structure, it has a very high melting point and a short liquid range.

The compound can be obtained by reaction of Grignard reagent tert-butylmagnesium bromide with ethyl bromide, or of ethylmagnesium bromide with tert-butyl bromide in the presence of manganese(II) ions.[2] This transformation is believed to go through the dimerization of two tert-butyl radicals, which are generated by decomposition of the organomanganese compounds generated in situ.

The full IUPAC name of the compound is 2,2,3,3-tetramethylbutane, but the numbers are superfluous in this case because there is no other possible arrangement of "tetramethylbutane".

References

  1. "Hexamethylethane - Compound Summary". PubChem Compound. USA: National Center for Biotechnology Information. 26 March 2005. Identification and Related Information. Retrieved 11 March 2012.
  2. M. S. KHARASCH, J. W. HANCOCK, W. NUDENBERG, P. O. TAWNEY (1956). "Factors Influencing the Course and Mechanism of Grignard Reactions. XXII. The Reaction of Grignard Reagents with Alkyl Halides and Ketones in the Presence of Manganous Salts". Journal of Organic Chemistry 21 (3): 322–327. doi:10.1021/jo01109a016.