What Is Cyclobutane?
Cyclobutane (C4H8) is a cycloalkane, also known as tetramethylene.
It is a clear, colorless, flammable liquid at room temperature that is insoluble in water and soluble in ethanol and acetone.
Cyclobutane has a square structural formula, but in reality the four carbon atoms are not in the same plane, but are bent at an angle of about 25°.
The carbon skeleton is therefore arranged at an angle of approximately 80°.
Cyclobutane, however, forms a bent bond that results in a bond angle of almost 109°, similar to the bonding in normal cycloalkanes.
Therefore, unlike cyclopropane, unsubstituted cyclobutane is less prone to ring cleavage reactions.
Uses of Cyclobutane
Cyclobutane by itself has no uses other than as a heat source, but its derivatives are used in a variety of fields.
Penitrem and grandisol are composed of cyclobutane as a derivative.
For example, cyclobutane-1,2,3,4-tetracarboxylic acid dihydride is used as a material substance in detergents and solvents and as a reactant for:
- Synthesis of biologically and pharmacologically active molecules
- Synthesis of light-sensitive polyimide materials for high-performance organic thin-film transistors
- Selective cross-linking of polyimides for use in optical devices