This section provides an overview for isobutane as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 8 isobutane manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked isobutane companies as of November, 2024: 1.MITSUI CHEMICALS EUROPE GmbH, 2.SIAD, 3.Gas Encyclopedia Air Liquide.
Table of Contents
Figure 1. Isobutane and structural isomer (Butane)
Isobutane is a hydrocarbon with the chemical formula C4H10.
Its CAS number is 75-28-5. It is also known as 2-methylpropane and trimethylmethane. It is a structural isomer of butane and is found in the cracked gases of wet natural gas and petroleum hydrocarbons. It is synthesized mainly by isomerization of butane.
Under the Industrial Safety and Health Law, it is classified as a hazardous substance (flammable gas) in Appendix 1 of the Enforcement Order, and as a hazardous and toxic substance that should be labeled or notified by name. It is not regulated by the Labor Standards Law, the PRTR Law, the Poisonous and Deleterious Substances Control Law, or the Fire Service Law.
Isobutane is mainly used as a substitute for CFC gas, as a refrigerant in air conditioners and refrigerators, and in sprays. Its refrigerant number, which is a number indicating the type of refrigerant as defined by the American Society of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers, is R600a.
Isobutane is also a substance used as a liquefied gas for household and industrial fuels because of its flammability and explosive properties. It is mainly used in cassette gases and lighters for outdoor use.
Its boiling point temperature is lower than that of butane, making it suitable for use in cold climates and winter mountaineering. Other uses include organic synthesis raw materials and atomizers. Isobutane is also used as a raw material for synthesis of isoparaffins, among others.
Figure 2. Basic information on isobutane
Isobutane has a molecular weight of 58.10, a melting point of -159.42°C, and a boiling point of -11.7°C. It is a colorless gas at room temperature.
It has a relative specific gravity of 2.01 with air as 1 and a density of 2.51 kg/m3. It is soluble in ethanol, ether, and chloroform. Its solubility in water is 48.9 mg/L.
Isobutane is sold mainly as a high-pressure gas for industrial use. Products used for foaming polystyrene, polyethylene, etc., and special products include standard gases for calibration of flammable and toxic gas detectors.
The containers are welded steel containers, which are sold in the form of so-called gas cylinders. The contents can be 50 kg, 500 kg, etc. Standard gases for calibration of flammable and toxic gases are used for calibration of gas detectors at sites where flammable gases are used, and are diluted with air. It is available in 3.4L, 10L, 47L, etc.
Isobutane reacts with strong oxidizers, acetylene, halogens, and nitrogen oxides to create fire and explosion hazards. Since isobutane is heavier than air, it moves along the ground and may generate static electricity due to flow, agitation, etc. Therefore, isobutane may ignite over long distances. Therefore, there is a high possibility of distant ignition.
Figure 3. Chemical reaction of isobutane
Isobutane reacts with low molecular weight alkenes to form hydrocarbons under acidic conditions. This reaction is used in the petroleum industry to synthesize 2,4-dimethylpentene and 2,2,4-trimethylpentane.
Oxidation also yields tert-butyl hydroperoxide. This substance can be reacted with propylene to produce propylene oxide.
The main hazards of Isobutane include the following
The GHS classification classifies isobutane as follows
Isobutane is designated by the Industrial Safety and Health Law as a "Hazardous and Noxious Substance to be Labeled or Notified" and a "Hazardous and Flammable Gas" due to the above hazardous properties. It is important to handle isobutane properly in compliance with laws and regulations.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Sort by Features
Sort by Area
TCI America (TCI) was founded in 1946 and is a worldwide manufacturer of specialty organic chemicals. The company produces organic laboratory chemicals as well as pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and functional materials. TCI’s product segments include Chemistry, Life Science, Materials Science, Analytical Chemistry, and Custom & Bulk. For materials science, the company manufactures battery materials, nanocarbon materials, and magnetic materials. For life sciences, the company produces antibodies, reagents, and chemicals for cancer research. The company produces HLC, NMR, various chemicals, and resins and media for analytical chemistry.
SINTECO S.R.L. is a manufacturer and exporter of specialty chemicals and chemical intermediates headquartered in Trecate Novara Province, Italy and was established in 1992. The company offers a wide range of products in categories including refrigerants, propellants and extinguish gases, polymers and plastic additives, sinteporite and, spray hygienizing. Its products provide solutions to refrigeration, polyurethane foam, plastics extrusion foam, aerosol and purification LPG/PURE industries. Sinteco is one of the authorized and specialized centers for the management of HFC and HFO waste in Italy through its gas management and storage services.
YEOCHUN NCC CO., LTD., established in 1999 and headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, is a manufacturer and supplier of base materials for the petrochemical sector. The company offers a diverse range of chemical products, including ethylene, propylene, butadiene, benzene, and toluene, as well as xylene, and styrene monomer. These products are used in various industries, such as plastics, textiles, and pharmaceuticals. YEOCHUN NCC also offers services like technical support and customization. The company was formed by the integration of the Naphtha Cracking Centers (NCC) of DL Chemical and Hanwha Solutions.
Mitsui Chemicals Europe GmbH, headquartered in Dusseldorf, Germany, is a chemical manufacturer established in 1997. The company provides numerous solutions such as life and healthcare that encompass specialty chemicals, food and health-related and medical-related solutions together with mobility solutions such as elastomers and composite materials. Mitsui also offers ICT solutions, including materials and components for semiconductor and electronic components for manufacturing processes, optical materials, lithium-ion battery materials and performance food packaging materials. Other solutions include basic and green materials, phenols, PTA, polyurethane, and green chemicals. The company serves various industries, including automotive, packaging, healthcare, and electronics.
Climalife, established in 1874, is a manufacturer and supplier of thermodynamics and technical fluids, with its headquarters located in Paris. The company offers multiple products, including refrigerants, heat transfer fluids, oils and aerosol propellants, and blowing agents. It also supplies pure speciality gases or high purity blends used for inerting, welding, calibration of laboratory equipment, and surface treatment. Its services include complex configuration of installations, leak detection and analysis, managing recovered fluids and controlling traceability, cleaning, turnkey solution and planning interventions. Climalife serves various industries, including HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning), industrial cooling, and commercial refrigeration.
Gas Encyclopedia Air Liquide, established in 1902 and headquartered in Paris, France, is both a manufacturer and supplier of industrial gases and related solutions. Their offerings include medical gases such as oxygen, and nitrogen for therapeutic and diagnostic applications, industrial gases for manufacturing processes, specialty gases for diverse analytical and research purposes, and solutions for clean energy applications like hydrogen. These gases play essential roles in medical treatments, metal fabrication, electronics manufacturing, and sustainable energy solutions. The company holds a myriad of certifications, including ISO 9001 for quality management and ISO 14001 for environmental management.
SIAD Group, founded in 1927 and headquartered in Bergamo, Lombardy, is an Italian manufacturer and distributor specializing in industrial gases, as well as engineering and healthcare products and services. The company's product offerings include gases and gas mixtures for various industries. For instance, SIAD supplies specialty gases like high purity gases and noble gases to the electronic, environmental, petrochemical, and pharmaceutical sectors. SIAD also offers a range of refrigerant gases for air conditioning systems. SIAD also operates subsidiaries, such as SIAD Macchine Impianti S.p.A., which builds air separation units (ASUs), and SIAD HEALTHCARE SpA, which offers medical gases, surgical devices, and more.
Repsol, founded in 1972, and located in Madrid, Spain, is a supplier of integrated energy company operating globally. Its products, including oil, gas, petrochemicals, electricity, and renewables, catering to industries such as transportation, power generation, and industrial sectors. The company holds certifications such as Dow Jones Sustainability and UN Global Compact. The company also is involved in all aspects of the energy industry, from exploration and production to refining and marketing. Repsol continues to be a part to the energy industry's evolution and environmental responsibility.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | MITSUI CHEMICALS EUROPE GmbH |
29.2%
|
2 | SIAD |
20.8%
|
3 | Gas Encyclopedia Air Liquide |
12.5%
|
4 | Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. |
12.5%
|
5 | SINTECO S.R.L |
6.3%
|
6 | YEOCHUN NCC CO., LTD. |
6.3%
|
7 | Climalife |
6.3%
|
8 | Repsol |
6.3%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the isobutane page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
Italy | 2 | 33.3% |
Japan | 1 | 16.7% |
Republic of Korea | 1 | 16.7% |
Germany | 1 | 16.7% |
Spain | 1 | 16.7% |
1 product is listed.
SUMITOMO SEIKA CHEMICALS CO.,LTD.
20+ people viewing
■ Grade ・ Pure/Pure-D synthetic reaction experiment, mixed gas raw material, qualitative analysis, etc. can be used for multiple purposes. ・ UHP,...