The condensed formula of n-butylamine, the most common isomer of butylamine, is CH3(CH2)3NH2.
What is Butylamine?
Butylamine is an organic chemical compound and a primary amine with the general molecular formula C4H11N. It consists of a butyl group attached to an amine group (-NH2). While "butylamine" can refer to several structural isomers (such as n-butylamine, sec-butylamine, tert-butylamine, and isobutylamine), n-butylamine is the straight-chain isomer and often the one referenced when the term "butylamine" is used generally.
Deriving the Condensed Formula for n-Butylamine
A condensed formula simplifies the structural representation of a molecule by listing the atoms in groups that show their connectivity without explicitly drawing all the bonds.
For n-butylamine:
- The "butyl" part indicates a chain of four carbon atoms. For n-butyl, this implies a normal, straight chain.
- The "amine" part indicates the presence of an -NH2 group.
Combining these, a straight chain of four carbons with an amine group at the end forms:
CH3—CH2—CH2—CH2—NH2
This can be written more compactly as CH3(CH2)3NH2. This condensed form clearly shows the sequence of atoms and the straight-chain nature of the molecule.
Key Properties of n-Butylamine
n-Butylamine is known for its distinct characteristics. Below are some of its essential properties:
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Chemical Formula | C4H11N |
| Molar Mass | 73.139 g·mol−1 |
| Appearance | Colorless liquid |
| Odor | Fishy, ammoniacal |
n-Butylamine is a colorless liquid at room temperature and possesses a strong, characteristic fishy or ammoniacal odor, common among lower molecular weight amines. It is often used as a building block in organic synthesis for various applications, including the production of pharmaceuticals, dyes, and rubber chemicals.
For more detailed information, you can refer to the n-Butylamine Wikipedia page.
