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Refrigerants and blowing agents

Methane

Also known as Marsh gas, Methyl hydride, Fire Damp

CAS 74-82-8Formula CH4Molar mass 16.04 g/molEC 200-812-7
GHS signal word: Danger. Pictograms: Flammable, Gas under pressure 143 suppliers listed
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Methane chemical structure, CH4, CAS 74-82-8
2D chemical structure

Key facts

What buyers check first

All properties
Appearance
Colorless gas
Melting point
-182.6 °C
Boiling point
-161.5 °C
Density
0.554 at 0 °C/4 °C (air = 1 ) or 0.7168 g/liter
Flash point
-188 °C (-306 °F) - closed cup
HS code
290110
Category
Refrigerants and blowing agents
UN number
UN 1971
Illustrative photo, a small gas cylinder with a regulator in a lab on a laboratory bench
Typical packagingIllustrative packaging image, not the actual product

What is Methane?

Plain description, key identifiers and synonyms

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.

Methane is a simplest organic molecule with one carbon atom and four hydrogen.

Identifiers

Registry numbers, names and line notations, tap to copy

IUPAC name
methane
CAS number
74-82-8 CAS number cross-checkedOther or deprecated CAS: 14493-06-2, 150036-83-2, 58760-46-6, 64365-11-3, 8006-14-2
EC numbers
200-812-7, 231-153-3, 231-953-2, 231-955-3, 232-343-9, 240-383-3, 927-905-1
Molecular formula
CH4
UNII
OP0UW79H66
MDL number
MFCD00133992, MFCD00144065, MFCD00146977, MFCD00211867
InChIKey
VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N
InChI
InChI=1S/CH4/h1H4
SMILES (canonical and isomeric)
C

Synonyms

  • Marsh gas
  • Methyl hydride
  • Fire Damp
  • Biogas
  • R 50 (refrigerant)
  • metano
  • tetrahydridocarbon
  • Methane in gaseus state
  • Methane-12C
  • methane, tetrahydridocarbon
  • 02329_FLUKA
  • 295477_Aldrich
  • 463035_Aldrich
  • 490210_Aldrich
  • Biodiesels
  • methan
  • Natural gas
  • Tinnitus
  • Graphene Oxide
  • Graphene Solution
  • Nanodiamond powder
  • Thiolated graphene
  • Expandable Graphite
  • Graphene Oxide Gel
  • Nano-diamond powder
Show all 37 synonyms
  • Graphene NMP Paste
  • Graphene Nanoplatelets
  • Acetylene carbon black
  • Graphene Aqueous Paste
  • Monocrystalline Diamond
  • Nitrogen-doped Graphene
  • Nitrogen doped graphene oxide
  • aminated graphene(small size)
  • Platinum doped graphene powder
  • Polycrystalline Diamond Powder
  • Unalloyed steel
  • Alloy steel

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values and descriptors computed from the structure

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values, check the supplier specification for your grade

Appearance
Colorless gasexp.
Odour
Odorlessexp.
Taste
Tastelessexp.
Melting point
-182.6 °Cexp.
Boiling point
-161.5 °Cexp.
Density
0.554 at 0 °C/4 °C (air = 1 ) or 0.7168 g/literexp.
Flash point
-188 °C (-306 °F) - closed cupexp.
Autoignition temperature
537 °Cexp.
Solubility
In water, 22 mg/L at 25 °Cexp.
Vapour pressure
VP: 1 Pa at -220 °C (solid), -10 Pa at 214.2 °C (solid), 100 Pa at -206.8 °C (solid), 1 kPa at -197 °C (solid), 10 kPa at -183.6 °C (solid), 100 kPa at -161.7 °Cexp.

Values vary by grade. Ask suppliers for the COA or TDS of the batch you buy.

Computed descriptors

Calculated from the structure, useful for screening and formulation

Molecular weight
16.04 g/molcalc.
Exact mass
16.0313 Dacalc.
LogP (octanol/water)
0.64calc.
Topological polar surface area
0 Ųcalc.
Hydrogen bond donors
0calc.
Hydrogen bond acceptors
0calc.
Rotatable bonds
0calc.
Heavy atoms
1calc.
Rings
0calc.
Aromatic rings
0calc.
Fraction sp3 carbons
1calc.
Formal charge
0calc.
Stereocentres
0calc.
Lipinski rule of five
Passes (0 violations)calc.

Calculated for screening. Confirm critical figures with the supplier.

Safety and hazards

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet

GHS signal word
Danger
GHS02: Flammable
Flammable
GHS04: Gas under pressure
Gas under pressure
420NFPA 704 rating

Hazard statements

  • H220Extremely flammable gas.
Precautionary statements (7)
  • P203Obtain, read and follow all safety instructions before use.
  • P210Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking.
  • P222Do not allow contact with air.
  • P280Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
  • P377Leaking gas fire: do not extinguish, unless leak can be stopped safely.
  • P381In case of leakage, eliminate all ignition sources.
  • P403Store in a well-ventilated place.
UN number
UN 1971
Transport hazard class
2.1

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet (SDS). Classifications can differ by supplier, grade and concentration. Always check the supplier's SDS.

Full safety data and first aid

Methane suppliers

Sponsored listings first, then the documented ranking: membership, verification, replies, completeness, freshness and ratings

All 143 suppliers
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Where suppliers are based

143 suppliers in 33 countries

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Methane price

Indicative price range per kg from live supplier offers

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Uses and applications

What the substance is used for, by industry and function

In the production of methanol.

Constituent of illuminating and cooking gas, in manufacture of hydrogen, hydrogen cyanide, ammonia, acetylene, formaldehyde, in organic syntheses.

Chemical intermediate (excluding fuel use), constituent of natural gas (about 85% methane), ... halogenated methanes, carbon disulfide, sodium hydrosulfide, carbon black.

The largest use of methane is for synthesis gas, a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Synthesis gas, in turn, is the primary feed for the production of ammonia and methanol. Synthesis gas is produced by steam reforming of methane over a nickel catalyst.

Source of petrochemicals by conversion to hydrogen and carbon monoxide by steam cracking or partial oxidation. Important products are methanol, acetylene, (and) hydrogen cyanide ... Chlorination gives carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, methylene chloride, and methyl chloride.

Read more

In the form of natural gas, methane is used as a fuel, as a source of carbon black, and as the starting material for manufacture of synthetic proteins.

Industrial uses: Intermediate, X-ray absorber, Monomers, Fuel.

Consumer uses: Fuel, Abrasives, Intermediate.

Roles

  • bacterial metabolite
  • fossil fuel
  • fuel
  • greenhouse gas
  • metabolite
  • prokaryotic metabolite

Functional uses

  • Surface modifier

How it is made

Prepared commercially from natural gas or by fermentation of cellulose and sewage sludge.

Pure carbon combines directly with pure hydrogen at temperatures above 1100 °C forming methane. Above 1500 °C amount of methane formed increases with temperature.

From natural gas by absorption or adsorption

Regulatory status

Inventories, regulations and trade controls that list this substance

Europe

  • EU harmonised classification (CLP Annex VI)
    Index no: 601-001-00-4

United States

  • TSCA inventory (USA)
    Status: Active in US commerce

HS code and trade data

Customs classification and reported world trade statistics

Global trade

World import and export statistics for the HS code Methane is traded under.

HS 2901.10Indicative HS code

Saturated

World exports in 2024
$8.47B
+23.9% vs 2023, imports $7.66B
2019 to 2024
Top exporters
  1. United States79.8%
  2. Canada10.1%
  3. Germany1.4%
Top importers
  1. China34.6%
  2. United States12.2%
  3. Sweden5.0%
Reported customs values in USD, not prices.Full trade data

The HS code shown for Methane is indicative (it was assigned by structure rules). Confirm the classification with your customs broker before shipping.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Methane, based on the data on this page

What is 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.

What is the CAS number of Methane?

The CAS registry number of Methane is 74-82-8. Other or deprecated CAS numbers: 14493-06-2, 150036-83-2, 58760-46-6.

What is the molecular formula and weight of Methane?

The molecular formula of Methane is CH4 and its molar mass is 16.04 g/mol.

What is Methane used for?

In the production of methanol. Constituent of illuminating and cooking gas, in manufacture of hydrogen, hydrogen cyanide, ammonia, acetylene, formaldehyde, in organic syntheses. Chemical intermediate (excluding fuel use), constituent of natural gas (about 85% methane), ...

Is Methane hazardous?

Methane carries the GHS signal word "Danger". Main hazards: extremely flammable gas. This summary is not an SDS, always read the supplier safety data sheet.

What is the HS code of Methane?

Methane is usually classified under HS code 290110 (Saturated). This is indicative, confirm it with your customs broker before shipping.

Where can I buy Methane?

CompoundList lists 143 suppliers of Methane in United States, China, India, Germany and 29 more. Send one free request to get and compare quotes. Your contact details stay private until you accept a quote.

Where can I buy Methane in India?

10 suppliers in India list Methane on CompoundList. Filter the suppliers list by country and send a request to compare prices, grades and delivery times.

What is the price of Methane?

Suppliers quote Methane on request because prices depend on grade, purity, quantity and destination. A free request on CompoundList gets you several quotes to compare.

Guides for buyers

Practical guides that help when you source, ship or handle Methane

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Data last updated 7 Oct 2026. Details may have changed, please confirm them with the supplier. Report an error on this page
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