Pentane Formula – Structure, Properties, Uses, Sample Questions

Pentane is a chemical compound under the group of Alkanes which is a volatile and colorless liquid. Pentane has a gasoline-like odor. Most commonly used as a blowing agent and used in the production of foams. Pentane is also used in liquid chromatography and used as a solvent in pesticides. If highly exposed to Pentane it will cause irritation. Sometimes it may lead to pulmonary edema. Not only for humans it is also dangerous for plants and animals. Pentane consists of Carbon and Hydrogen atoms. They are arranged like straight-chain or Branched like 2-methyl butane or 2,2-dimethyl propane or arranged like a ring. based on their arrangement they are named n-pentane, Isopentane, Neopentane, or Cyclopentane.

Pentane

Pentane is a chemical compound that contains 5 Carbon atoms and 12 Hydrogen atoms. Pentane is generally found in natural gas. The pentane was separated by the distillation process. On distillation of natural gas, the remaining liquid after distillation is called as natural gasoline liquid. Pentane is a colour less highly volatile liquid with gasoline like odour. Other names of pentane are n-pentane, Iso pentane, Neo pentane, and Cyclopentane. 

The Chemical Formula of Pentane is C₅H₁₂. 

Structure of Pentane

Pentane contains 5 Carbon atoms and 12 Hydrogen atoms. The chemical formula of Pentane is C₅H₁₂. Three isomers are there for pentane, they are n-pentane, Isopentane, and Neo pentane. N-pentane is a straight-chain, Isopentane is branched like 2-methyl butane and Neo pentane is branched like 2,2-dimethyl propane. Another structure of pentane is Cyclopentane which is arranged like a ring.

Structure of n-Pentane

Structure of  Isopentane

Structure of Neopentane

Structure of Cyclopentane

Physical properties of Pentane

• Pentane is a colorless liquid with and gasoline-like odor.
• The density of Pentane is 0.626 g/ml at 20°C.
• The Melting point of Pentane is -130.5°C to -129.1°C (or) -202.8°F to -200.3°F.
• The solubility of Pentane in water is 40 mg/L at 20°C.
• The Molar mass of Pentane is 72.151 g/mol.

Chemical properties of Pentane

1. Pentane undergoes oxidation and forms carbon dioxide and water.

C₅H₁₂ + 8 O₂ ———–> 5 CO2 + 6 H₂O

2. Pentane undergoes free radical chlorination and forms Pentachloride and Hydrochloric acid.

C₅H₁₂ + Cl₂ ————> C₅H₁₁Cl + HCl

Uses of Pentane

Following are the uses of Pentane:

• Pentane is used as a blowing agent.
• Pentane is used in the production of foams.
• Pentane is used in some refrigerants which are blended.
• Pentane is used as a solvent in some pesticides.
• Pentane is used in liquid chromatography.
• Pentane is used in Geothermal power stations as a binary fluid.
• Pentane is used to produce Hydrogen by steam reforming.

Sample Questions

Question 1. Is Pentane gas dangerous?

Solution:

Pentane causes irritation on inhalation. It causes irritation to the nose and throat. In some conditions, it causes severe headache, dizziness, and lightheadedness. Pentane also causes pulmonary edema. Pentane is also dangerous to plants. Pentane leads to tropospheric ozone generation which is hazardous to green plants and animals.

Question 2. Is Pentane a type of LPG?

Solution:

Normally natural gas contains some components like pentane, hexane, and Heptane. LPG is separated from the liquid through distillation, the remaining liquid after distillation is known as natural gasoline liquid. Pentane is a colorless, highly volatile liquid with a gasoline-like odor. Pentane is used as a blowing agent and also use to make polystyrene foams.

Question 3. Where can you find Pentane?

Solution:

Pentanes have three isomers and they are easily distinguished from one another with their lower boiling temperatures. Three isomers are n-pentane, Isopentane, and Neopentane. The n-pentane and Isopentane are byproducts of natural gas production and found in natural crude oil and cyclopentane is found more in naphtha or crude petrol. 

Question 4. What are the isomers of Pentane and draw the structures?

Solution:

The isomers of Pentane are as follows

• n-pentane: Straight chain
• Isopentane: 2-methyl butane
• Neo pentane: 2,2-dimethyl propane.

Structure of n-pentane

Structure of Isopentane

Structure of Neopentane

Question 5. What is the difference between Butane and Pentane?

Solution:

Butane and Pentane both are Alkanes, But the difference is based on their number of carbon atoms. Butane has four carbon atoms whereas Pentane has 5 carbon atoms. The Butane Chemical formula is C₄H₁₀ whereas the pentane chemical formula is C₅H₁₂. Butane is liquified gas whereas pentane is a flammable liquid. Butane has 2 isomers they are n-butane arranged like a straight-chain and Isobutane arranged like 2-methyl propane. Pentane has 3 isomers they are n-pentane arranged like a straight chain, Isopentane arranged as 2 methyl butane and Neopentane arranged like 2,2 dimethyl propane. 

Question 6. What is the difference between n-pentane and NeoPentane?

Solution:

n-pentane is arranged like a straight chain whereas neopentane is arranged like 2,2 dimethyl propane. n-pentane is roughly sausage-shaped whereas neopentane is a spherical ball-shaped structure. n-pentane has the lowest melting point whereas neopentane has the highest melting point compared to the three isomers. The highest melting point of neopentane is due to molecules packed like a crystalline lattice. so compared with n-pentane and isopentane, neopentane requires more energy to melt the solid.