Methylacetylene

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Methylacetylene
Image:Propyne.png Image:Propyne3D.png
Chemical name	Prop-1-yne
Other names	Methylacetylene Methyl acetylene Propyne
Chemical formula	C₃H₄
Molecular mass	40.0639 g/mol
CAS number	74-99-7
Density	? g/cm³
Melting point	-103 °C
Boiling point	-23.2 °C
SMILES	CC#C
PubChem	6335
EINECS	200-828-4
Disclaimer and references

1 Chemical characteristics
2 Use as a rocket fuel
3 References
4 External links

[edit] Chemical characteristics

Methylacetylene (propyne) is an alkyne with the chemical formula C H₃C≡C H. It is a component of MAPP gas, which is commonly used in gas welding.

[edit] Use as a rocket fuel

Research by European space concerns into using light hydrocarbons with liquid oxygen as a relatively high performing propellant combination which would also be less toxic than the commonly used MMH/NTO (monomethylhydrazine/nitrogen tetroxide) systems, showed that propyne would be highly advantageous for craft intended for low Earth orbital operations. This conclusion was reached based upon a specific impulse expected to reach 370s if oxygen is used as oxidiser, a high density, and energy/volume ratio, and the moderate boiling point, which causes the chemical to present fewer problems in storage than for example a fuel that needs to be kept at extremely low temperatures. (See cryogenics.)