Methane
Methane is a one-carbon compound in which the carbon is attached by single bonds to four hydrogen atoms. It is a colourless, odourless, non-toxic but flammable gas (b.p. 161C). It has a role as a fossil fuel, a member of greenhouse gas and a bacterial metabolite. It is a gas molecular entity, an alkane, a mononuclear parent hydride and a one-carbon compound. It is a conjugate acid of a methanide.
IUPAC: methane
PubChem
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Melting Point | -296 °F (USCG, 1999) |
| Boiling Point | -258 °F at 760 mmHg (USCG, 1999) |
| Density | 0.415 to 0.45 at -259.6 °F (USCG, 1999) |
| Solubility | 3.5 mL/100 mL at 63 °F (NTP, 1992) |
| Flash Point | -306 °F (NTP, 1992) |
| Vapor Pressure | 258574 mmHg at 100 °F ; 760 mmHg at -258.7 °F (NTP, 1992) |
| Appearance | Methane is a colorless odorless gas. It is also known as marsh gas or methyl hydride. It is easily ignited. The vapors are lighter than air. Under prolonged exposure to fire or intense heat the containers may rupture violently and rocket. It is used in making other chemicals and as a constituent of the fuel, natural gas. |
Data: PubChem · Last updated: 4/20/2026
GHS Classification
No GHS classification data available.
Classification data is sourced from ECHA.
Regulatory Compliance
Listed
note: Status based on EPA TSCA Active Inventory · inventory name: TSCA Chemical Substance Inventory
View sourceGlobal Trade Intelligence
No trade flow data available for this chemical.
HS Code(s): 2711
Data: UN Comtrade
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