Tetracarbon Decahydride
Tetracarbon decahydride is a hydrocarbon compound with the empirical formula C4H10. It is also known as tetramethylene, or cyclobutane. The molecule consists of a cyclobutane ring formed by four carbon atoms, each bonded to two hydrogen atoms. The remaining two hydrogen atoms are attached to opposite carbons in the ring.
Tetracarbon decahydride is a colorless gas at room temperature and pressure. It has a boiling point of -4 °C and a melting point of -94 °C. It is insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents like ethanol and ether.
The molecule is sp3 hybridized, which means that all its carbon atoms have tetrahedral geometry with bond angles of approximately 109.5 degrees. The C-C bonds in the cyclobutane ring are shorter than typical C-C single bonds due to the strain caused by the ring's geometry.
Tetracarbon decahydride can undergo various reactions such as combustion, halogenation, and hydrogenation. Its combustion produces carbon dioxide and water, while halogenation results in the substitution of hydrogen atoms with halogens like chlorine or bromine. Hydrogenation of tetracarbon decahydride using a catalyst like platinum or palladium converts it into cyclobutane, a valuable intermediate in the chemical industry.
In summary, tetracarbon decahydride is a cyclic hydrocarbon with a cyclobutane ring structure and empirical formula C4H10. It is a colorless gas with a tetrahedral geometry and can undergo various reactions like combustion, halogenation, and hydrogenation.