PROPANE (CH₃CH₂CH₃)

Propane is a more reactive paraffin than ethane and methane. This is due to the presence of two secondary hydrogens that could be easily substituted. Propane is obtained from natural gas liquids or from refinery gas streams. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is a mixture of propane and butane and is mainly used as a fuel. The heating value of propane is 2,300 Btu/ft₃. LPG is currently an important feedstock for the production of olefins for petrochemical use.

   Liquid propane is a selective hydrocarbon solvent used to separate paraffinic constituents in lube oil base stocks from harmful asphaltic materials. It is also a refrigerant for liquefying natural gas and used for the recovery of condensable hydrocarbons from natural gas. Chemicals directly based on propane are few, although as mentioned, propane and LPG are important feedstocks for the production of olefins. Propylene has always been obtained as a coproduct with ethylene from steam cracking processes.