The key difference between cyclopropane propane and propene is that cyclopropane is a cyclic alkane, and propane is a non-cyclic alkane whereas propene is an alkene.
Cyclopropane, propane and propene are organic compounds containing three carbon atoms per molecule. These are hydrocarbon compounds having only hydrogen and carbon atoms.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Cyclopropane
3. What is Propane
4. What is Propene
5. Side by Side Comparison – Cyclopropane Propane vs Propene in Tabular Form
6. Summary
What is Cyclopropane?
Cyclopropane is an organic compound having the chemical formula (CH2)3. It is a cyclic compound and contains three carbon atoms linked to each other, forming a ring structure. Each carbon atom in this ring bears two hydrogen atoms. We can define the molecular symmetry of this molecule as D3h symmetry. Moreover, there is a high ring strain due to the small ring structure.
Cyclopropane compound occurs as a colourless gas which has a sweet odour. The molar mass of cyclopropane is 42 g/mol. The melting point of this compound is −128 °C while the boiling point is −33 °C. Moreover, cyclopropane can act as an anaesthetic when inhaled.
Figure 01: Chemical Structure of Cyclopropane
There is a ring strain in this compound arises due to the reduced bond angles, and there is also torsional strain due to eclipsed conformation. Therefore, the chemical bonds in this structure are comparatively weaker than the corresponding alkane. The earliest method of production of cyclopropane was from Wurtz coupling.
What is Propane?
Propane is an organic compound having the chemical formula C3H8. It is a gaseous compound at room temperature and pressure conditions. However, propane is a compressible liquid, and it is a transportable liquid when liquefied. Propane is a byproduct of natural gas processing where petroleum refining is done. Moreover, propane is useful as a fuel.
Figure 02: A Propane Tank
Propane gas is a colourless and odourless gas. The boiling point (minus 42 Celsius degrees) of this gas is very low, which allows us to liquefy this gas. It can also solidify below its melting point (minus 187.7 Celsius degrees), which is a very low value.
Propane can undergo combustion similar to most other alkane compounds. If there is excess oxygen gas present during combustion, it forms water vapour and carbon dioxide gas as products. If the amount of oxygen gas is insufficient for complete combustion, then it forms carbon monoxide and soot as byproducts along with water vapour.
What is Propene?
Propene is an organic compound having the chemical formula C3H6. The molecular weight of this compound is about 42.081 g/mol. At room temperature and pressure conditions, this is a colourless gas. Further, this gas has a petroleum-like odour. Propene contains Carbon and Hydrogen atoms that are bonded to each other via single bonds, and there is a double bond between two carbon atoms. Therefore, propene is an unsaturated compound.
Figure 03: Chemical Structure of Propene
We can classify propene as an alkene which contains sigma bonds and a pi bond. In other words, this compound contains a double bond between two carbon atoms. Propene has a trigonal planar chemical geometry around the double bond. Due to the unsaturation of this compound, propene is very important in producing polymer compounds. The double bond in this molecule can undergo addition polymerization by opening up the double bond. The polymer made out of propene is poly(propene) (common name is polypropylene).
What is the Difference Between Cyclopropane Propane and Propene?
Cyclopropane, propane and propene are organic compounds having only carbon and hydrogen atoms. The key difference between cyclopropane propane and propene is that cyclopropane is a cyclic alkane and propane is a non-cyclic alkane, whereas propene is an alkene.
The following infographic tabulates more differences between cyclopropane propane and propene.
Summary – Cyclopropane Propane vs Propene
Cyclopropane, propane and propene are organic compounds having only carbon and hydrogen atoms. The key difference between cyclopropane propane and propene is that cyclopropane is a cyclic alkane and propane is a non-cyclic alkane, whereas propene is an alkene.
Reference:
1. “What Is Propane Gas?” Propane.com, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Cyclopropane molecule ball” By Jynto (more from this user) – Own work. This image was created with Discovery Studio Visualizer. (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Propane tank 20lb” By Hustvedt – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
3. “Propene Formula V.1” By Jü – Own work (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia