Neopentane
Neopentane, systematically named 2,2-dimethylpropane, is a branched alkane hydrocarbon with the molecular formula C₅H₁₂ and a molecular weight of 72.15 g/mol.[1] It features a highly symmetric tetrahedral structure where a central carbon atom is bonded to four methyl groups, making it one of the three isomeric forms of pentane, alongside n-pentane and isopentane.[1] As a colorless gas with a gasoline-like odor at standard temperature and pressure, neopentane is highly volatile, with a boiling point of 9.5 °C and a melting point of approximately -16.6 °C, and it has a liquid density of about 0.591 g/cm³ at 20 °C.[1][2] Neopentane exhibits typical alkane properties, being nonpolar and insoluble in water (solubility of 33.2 mg/L at 25 °C) but miscible with organic solvents like alcohol.[1] It is chemically stable and inert under normal conditions, with an enthalpy of formation in the gas phase ranging from -166.0 to -168.5 kJ/mol and an enthalpy of vaporization of 21.8–22.4 kJ/mol.[3] However, it is extremely flammable, with a flash point below -7 °C, an autoignition temperature of 450 °C, and explosive limits of 1.3–7.5% in air, posing risks as a simple asphyxiant and mild irritant to mucous membranes upon inhalation.[1][4] Safety precautions include storage in well-ventilated areas and use of appropriate personal protective equipment, as it can cause central nervous system depression in high concentrations.[2] In industrial applications, neopentane serves as a component in gasoline (typically 0.034–0.067%), a blowing agent, and a raw material in butyl rubber production.[1] It is widely used as a carrier gas in gas chromatography, a calibration standard for analytical instruments, a propellant in aerosols, and a solvent in chemical and pharmaceutical processes.[4] Additionally, its unique branched structure makes it valuable in research for studying isomer separation in petroleum refining, dissociative chemisorption on metal surfaces, and formation of gas hydrates.[5] Neopentane is detected in urban air and engine emissions.[1]Nomenclature and structure
Names and identifiers
Neopentane is the retained trivial name for the branched alkane with the molecular formula C₅H₁₂, where the "neo-" prefix historically denotes a structure featuring a new or alternative branching pattern, specifically a terminal tert-butyl group attached to a chain. The preferred IUPAC name is 2,2-dimethylpropane. This systematic name was established under modern IUPAC rules to reflect the longest carbon chain of three atoms with two methyl substituents on the central carbon. The name neopentane originated in the 19th century and was retained in the 1993 IUPAC recommendations for general nomenclature but is no longer recommended in the 2013 IUPAC Blue Book, which prioritizes the systematic name for precision and consistency. Common synonyms for this compound include tetramethylmethane, reflecting its structure as a methane molecule substituted with four methyl groups, and occasionally shortened forms like dimethylpropane, though the latter is less precise. These alternative names arise from early organic chemistry conventions emphasizing structural motifs over strict chain-length rules. Key chemical identifiers for neopentane are the CAS Registry Number 463-82-1, the IUPAC International Chemical Identifier (InChI) InChI=1S/C5H12/c1-5(2,3)4/h1-4H3, and the simplified molecular-input line-entry system (SMILES) notation CC(C)(C)C. These standardized codes facilitate database searches, regulatory compliance, and computational modeling in chemical informatics. As one of the three structural isomers of pentane (C₅H₁₂), neopentane contrasts with the linear n-pentane and the singly branched isopentane (2-methylbutane), highlighting its unique highly symmetric, branched configuration centered on a quaternary carbon atom.Molecular geometry
Neopentane has the molecular formula C₅H₁₂ and features a central quaternary carbon atom bonded to four equivalent methyl groups, represented by the structural formula (CH₃)₄C.[1] This arrangement results in ideal tetrahedral geometry at the central carbon, characterized by C–C bond lengths of 1.534 ± 0.003 Å and bond angles of 109.5°.[6] The identical substituents confer Td point group symmetry to the molecule, yielding high overall symmetry and a nearly spherical shape that distinguishes it as the most compact isomer of pentane.[7] The quaternary carbon center in this neo- configuration introduces substantial steric crowding from the four adjacent methyl groups, providing a structural basis for reduced accessibility in potential reactions.[8] Unlike its linear isomer n-pentane, which adopts an extended chain conformation, neopentane's extreme branching promotes denser intermolecular packing due to its symmetric, globular form.[1]Physical properties
Thermodynamic properties
Neopentane is a colorless gas at room temperature and standard atmospheric pressure (25 °C, 1 atm), condensing to a highly volatile liquid below its boiling point of 9.5 °C.[1] Its molar mass is 72.15 g/mol.[1] The melting point of neopentane is -16.5 °C, and its boiling point is 9.5 °C at 1 atm.[1] The density of neopentane is 3.12 kg/m³ for the gas phase at its boiling point and 601 kg/m³ for the liquid phase at the boiling point. Its vapor pressure is 146 kPa at 20 °C.[1] Neopentane exhibits low solubility in water (approximately 33 mg/L at 25 °C), rendering it practically insoluble, but it is soluble in organic solvents such as ethanol and diethyl ether.[1] The critical point occurs at a temperature of 160.6 °C and a pressure of 3.20 MPa.[9]| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | -16.5 °C | Standard pressure | PubChem |
| Boiling point | 9.5 °C | 1 atm | PubChem / NIST WebBook |
| Density (gas) | 3.12 kg/m³ | At boiling point | Calculated (ideal gas approx.) |
| Density (liquid) | 601 kg/m³ | At boiling point | Engineering sources |
| Vapor pressure | 146 kPa | 20 °C | PubChem |
| Critical temperature | 160.6 °C | - | NIST WebBook |
| Critical pressure | 3.20 MPa | - | NIST WebBook |