What exactly is Cyclopropane?
Background
Cyclopropane, like many other wonderful drugs, has played its part in the medical field and lead to further research on similar drugs. During the early 1930's, Cyclopropane was used as an anesthetic during surgeries that would otherwise be uncomfortable to perform while a patient was conscious. Cyclopropane was rather expensive during the thirties but was preferred by doctors due to its low irritation to the respiratory system. While using this anesthetic, the heart rate, blood pressure and breathing status of each individual would remain within a normal range given the surgeon does not accidentally cause a problem relating to those important factors. Unfortunately, Cyclopropane is a rather reactive molecule, known to be explosive. A greater explosion will occurs when the gas is mixed with oxygen. This unavoidable problem was Cyclopropane's draw back which lead to it's replacement of halothane in the early 1950's.
Molecular Information
Cyclopropane is an organic molecule which means it is carbon based. This molecule is centered on triangle shaped ring with a carbon atom on each point of the triangle. Each carbon forms a bond with two hydrogen atoms and a double bond with another carbon atom. This means there are no other valence electrons on any other atoms in this molecule. Cyclopropane has a molar mass of 42.0 grams per mole. This is due to the three carbon atoms which have a molar mass of twelve grams each and the six hydrogen who have a molar mass of one gram each. Cyclopropane is used and is naturally in its gas form with a boiling point of -128 degrees Celsius and a melting point of -33 degree Celsius.
Structure
Cyclopropane is one of the simplest cyclic hydrocarbon formulas out there! Cyclopropane consist of three carbon and six hydrogen atoms. Each atom in this molecule contributes to its strange shape when compared to other hydrocarbons. Cyclopropane is very different than normal propene which shares the same chemical formula of C3H6.
The Dangers of Cyclopropane
Although Cyclopropane has its perks, it is considered rather dangerous. Cyclopropane is both highly flammable and explosive. Due to the strain between the bond angles of each carbon atom, the molecule becomes rather unstable.