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Cyclobutane

Cyclobutane is an aliphatic cyclic hydrocarbon.

Chemical Formula: C₄H₈

Other names: cyclobutane

Layman's explanation: Bruce Willstatter synthesized cyclobutane in 1907 via hydrogenation of cyclobutene in the presence of nickel. Cyclobutane has significant ring strain and is therefore unstable. It has low melting and boiling points and is a gas under standard conditions. It is insoluble in water, but is freely soluble in alcohol and acetone. Sex pheromones of some insects are derivatives of cyclobutane and are a rare example of naturally occurring compounds that contain highly-strained four carbon rings.

Keywords: ring strain, unstable

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