Methane
CH₄·16.043 g/mol·Organic·CID 297
FuelGreenhouse GasCommon
The simplest alkane with perfect tetrahedral geometry. The primary component of natural gas (~95%). A potent greenhouse gas — ~80× more warming potential than CO₂ over 20 years.
IUPAC: methane
Also known as: Marsh gas, Methyl hydride, Fire Damp, Biogas, 74-82-8 (+14 more)
Molecular Structure
Molecular Propertiesmass · H-bonds · stereo
Molecular Weight
16.043g/mol
Exact Mass
16.031300Da
Monoisotopic Mass
16.031300Da
XLogP
0.6
Polar Surface Area
0.0Ų
Complexity
0
Formal Charge
0
H-Bond Donors
0
H-Bond Acceptors
0
Rotatable Bonds
0
Heavy Atoms
1
Stereo Centers
0
Bond Stereo
0
Drug-Likeness (Lipinski's Rule of Five)
✓ 16.0 g/mol
MW ≤ 500
✓ 0.6
LogP ≤ 5
✓ 0
H-bond donors ≤ 5
✓ 0
H-bond acceptors ≤ 10
Passes all rules — good oral bioavailability predicted
GHS Hazard Classification
Danger
Hazards
H220Extremely flammable gasH280Contains gas under pressure; may explode if heatedH281Contains refrigerated gas; may cause cryogenic burns or injury
Source: PubChem GHS Classification. Always consult the SDS for handling.
Constituent Elements
Isomers8 compounds with formula CH₄
tetradeuteriomethane
CID 123070 · 20.1 g/mol
carbane
CID 26873 · 18.0 g/mol
trideuteriomethane
CID 10953798 · 19.1 g/mol
deuteriomethane
CID 12669 · 17.0 g/mol
dideuteriomethane
CID 10866248 · 18.1 g/mol
carbane
CID 105026 · 17.0 g/mol
tetradeuterio(113C)methane
CID 12242916 · 21.1 g/mol
tritiomethane
CID 12242919 · 18.1 g/mol