Propane, a colourless, easily liquefied, gaseous hydrocarbon (compound of carbon and hydrogen), the third member of the paraffin series following methane and ethane. The chemical formula for propane is C3H8. It is separated in large quantities from natural gas, light crude oil, and oil-refinery gases and is commercially available as liquefied propane or as a major constituent of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
As with ethane and other paraffin hydrocarbons, propane is an important raw material for the ethylene petrochemical industry. The decomposition of propane in hot tubes to form ethylene also yields another important product, propylene. From propylene such organic chemicals as acetone and propylene glycol are derived. The oxidation of propane to such compounds of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen as acetaldehyde is also of commercial interest.
Although a gas at ordinary atmospheric pressure, propane has a boiling point of -42.1° C (−43.8° F) and thus is readily liquefied under elevated pressures. It therefore is transported and handled as a liquid in cylinders and tanks. In this form, alone or mixed with liquid butane, it has great importance as a fuel for domestic and industrial uses and for internal-combustion engines.
MORE ABOUT THIS TOPIC
Article History
KEEP EXPLORING
Related Britannica Articles
Earth
hydrocarbon
chemical compound
fossil fuel
chemistry
petroleum
biolith
paraffin hydrocarbon
physical science
organic compound
Britannica Quizzes
Periodic table of the elements. Chemistry matter atom
Chemistry: Fact or Fiction?
iceberg illustration.
Nature: Tip of the Iceberg Quiz
Model of a molecule. Atom, Biology, Molecular Structure, Science, Science and Technology. Homepage 2010 arts and entertainment, history and society
Science Quiz
Magnified phytoplankton (Pleurosigma angulatum), as seen through a microscope.
Science: Fact or Fiction?
In his Peoria, Illinois, laboratory, USDA scientist Andrew Moyer discovered the process for mass producing penicillin. Moyer and Edward Abraham worked with Howard Florey on penicillin production.
General Science: Fact or Fiction?
Edible porcini mushrooms (Boletus edulis). Porcini mushrooms are widely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere and form symbiotic associations with a number of tree species.
Science Randomizer
Britannica Lists
Big cats. Leopards. Snow leopard. Panthera uncia. Endangered species. Profile of a snow leopard.
Falling Stars: 10 of the Most Famous Endangered Species
Bats. Megabat. Grey-headed flying fox. Pteropus poliocephalus. A pair of grey-headed flying foxes hanging from the ceiling of a cave in South Australia.
5 Surprising Facts About Bats
Mars rover. Mars Pathfinder. NASA. Sojourner.
10 Important Dates in Mars History
Rare rafflesia plant in jungle. (endangered species)
Editor Picks: Top 5 Most Awesome Parasitic Plants
The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) near Hanford, Washington, U.S. There are two LIGO installations; the other is near Livingston, Louisiana, U.S.
6 Amazing Facts About Gravitational Waves and LIGO
Working German Shepherd dog sniffing a suspecting package for drugs or explosives.
Working Like a Dog: 7 Animals with Jobs
