tetramethylene

Tetramethylene, also known as cyclobutane, is a cycloalkane with the chemical formula C4H8. It is a saturated hydrocarbon consisting of four carbon atoms arranged in a ring. In its pure form, tetramethylene is a colorless gas at room temperature and pressure, with a slightly sweet odor. It is a flammable substance.

The structure of tetramethylene is a four-membered ring. Due to ring strain, the bond angles in cyclobutane are distorted from the ideal tetrahedral angle of 109.5 degrees, resulting in a higher potential energy compared to larger cycloalkanes. To relieve this strain, the ring can adopt a slightly puckered conformation rather than a perfectly planar one.

Tetramethylene is primarily used as a precursor in the synthesis of other organic compounds, particularly in the petrochemical industry. It can be produced through various chemical processes, including the cyclization of dihaloalkanes. While not as common as its isomer butane, tetramethylene plays a role in certain specialized chemical reactions and research. Its reactivity is influenced by the inherent ring strain, making it susceptible to ring-opening reactions under specific conditions.