isomers of C4H4

Advanced level organic chemistry PART 14.7: Examples of Ssructural isomers of molecular formula C4H4

Doc Brown's Advanced Chemistry: Part 14.7: Isomers and extra notes on their properties and uses

7 selected constitutional structural isomers of molecular formula C4H4

[Author ©  Dr WP Brown PhD: Doc Brown's advanced level organic chemistry exam revision notes suitable for students of UK A level chemistry courses, JB chemistry & US K12 grade 11, grade 12 and AP honors chemistry courses: Molecular spectroscopy and analysing the isomers of C4H4 [updated Feb 18th 2026 *]

 Index of sets of isomers for a given molecular formula

 email doc brown - comments - query? * [privacy policy

 Associated organic chemistry page links

 This is a big chemistry website, please allow time to explore it


7 examples of the constitutional structural isomers of molecular formula C4H4 (Mr = 52)

Percent composition of C4H4 based on atomic masses C= 12.01  H = 1.01  and  Mr(C4H4) = 52.08

Element composition (to two dp): carbon = 92.24%     hydrogen = 7.76%

Empirical formula = CH and molecular formula = C4H4


Introduction to isomerism for molecular formula C4H4  (see also summary diagram)

 C4H4 Examples of constitutional structural isomers of C4H4 molecular formula C4H4 isomerism alkene diene cycloalkane cycloalkene alkynes aliphatic alicyclic isomers (6) and (7) added to the notes below

Structural isomerism includes (a) carbon chain variation (usually need a minimum of 4 C atoms), (b) change in position of a substituent or functional group and (c) functional group isomerism where the atoms have a different configuration (cyclodienes, alkenes-alkynes, cycloalkynes), usually with significant differences in chemical and physical properties.

All three apply to the isomers of molecular formula C4H4

Stereoisomerism is where molecules have the same basic constitutional structural formula, but isomers differ in the 2D/3D arrangement of the atoms.

Does not apply to the C4H4 isomers I've selected to describe.

Note

Theoretically, there are several constitutional-structural isomers of molecular formula C4H4.

There are aliphatic open chain dienes, alkynes and many cycloalkenes and cycloalkynes.

Therefore the isomers of C4H4 exhibit functional group isomerism as well as carbon chain and positional isomerism. Many of the isomers are unstable, or at least, highly reactive.

Some of the C4H4 isomers described may be highly reactive and very thermodynamically unstable e.g. due to weak highly strained bonds and some may not even exist at all (except theoretically of course!).

There will be other isomers for C4H4, but I've identified enough examples for the moment.


Details of examples the constitutional structural isomers C4H4

(1) cyclobuta-1,2-diene, skeletal formula of cyclobuta-1,2-diene, 1,2-cyclobutadiene, isomer of molecular formula C4H4 , skeletal formula

A cyclic diene i.e. two alkene groups in the very strained ring.

Also called 1,2-cyclobutadiene and very unstable if it exists, can it exist?

Functional group (ring not open chain) and positional (1, 2 for C=C x 2) isomer.

(It is possible to stabilise cyclobutyne, which will have an equally very strained ring!, see (6))

Number of low resolution NMR chemical shift δ signal peaks: 2 1H and 3 13C (email if disagree?)

1H NMR ratio of peaks: 2 (1+1) : 2 = 1 : 1 (for equivalent protons)

Index of 1H NMR spectra organic compounds and Index of 13C NMR spectra organic compounds

 

(2) cyclobuta-1,3-diene, skeletal formula of cyclobuta-1,3-diene cyclobutadiene 1,3-cyclobutadiene isomer of molecular formula C4H4 , skeletal formula

Sometimes just called cyclobutadiene, a cyclic diene i.e. two alkene groups in the ring.

Also called 1,3-cyclobutadiene and very reactive and highly unstable, but does exist, albeit with a very short life-time!.

Functional group isomerism (ring not open chain) and positional (1, 3 for C=C x 2) isomer.

Number of low resolution NMR chemical shift δ signal peaks: 1 1H and 1 13C (email if disagree?)

 

(3) 3-methylenecyclopropene, skeletal formula of methylenecyclopropene 3-methylenecyclopropene isomer of molecular formula C4H4 , skeletal formula

Also simply called methylenecyclopropene.

It is both a cyclic and non-cyclic alkene (C=C group).

Functional group (ring not open chain) and positions of C=C groups isomers.

Number of low resolution NMR chemical shift δ signal peaks: 2 1H and 3 13C (email if disagree?)

1H NMR ratio of peaks: 2 (1+1) : 2 = 1 : 1 (for equivalent protons)

 

(4) but-3-en-1-yne, H2C=CH-CCH, skeletal formula of but-3-en-1-yne, 1-buten-3-yne, but-1-yne-3-ene, 3-butene-1-yne, but-1-en-3-yne, but-1-en-3-yne isomer of molecular formula C4H4 , abbreviated structural formula and skeletal formula

Other names: I think the above is the preferred IUPAC name. Once called vinyl acetylene.

1-buten-3-yne, but-1-yne-3-ene, 3-butene-1-yne, but-1-en-3-yne, but-1-en-3-yne

Old name: vinylacetylene

(4) has two functional groups, a double bond C=C alkene group and a triple bond CC alkyne group.

Functional group isomer, open chain, not ring, and alkyne group.

Number of low resolution NMR chemical shift δ signal peaks: 3 1H and 4 13C (email if disagree?)

1H NMR ratio of peaks: 2 : 1 : 1 (for equivalent protons)

BUT, for the 'end' =CH2 alkene protons, you can get two chemical shifts close together, if there are two different groups attached to the other carbon of the C=C bond i.e. R"R'C=CH2 where R" and R' are different. This causes the two =CH2 protons to experience slightly different fields.

 

(5) buta-1,2,3-triene, H2C=C=C=CH2, skeletal formula of buta-1,2,3-triene butatriene isomer of molecular formula C4H4 , abbreviated structural formula and skeletal formula

Also simply called butatriene, with a triple consecutive arrangement of three alkene groups.

Number of low resolution NMR chemical shift δ signal peaks: 1 1H and 2 13C (email if disagree?)

 

(6) cyclobutyne, constitutional structural skeletal formula of cyclobutyne , theoretical skeletal formula

An alkyne group as part of a alicyclic compound with an extremely strained ring.

Stable molecule not isolated but can be stabilised as a ligand in metal complexes (university level stuff).

Number of low resolution NMR chemical shift δ signal peaks: 1 1H and 2 13C (email if disagree?)

 

(7) 1-methylcyclopropa-1,2-diene

Theoretical, and highly unlikely to exist with an extremely strained bond system of the three membered cyclic carbon ring [-C=C=C-].

 

Examples (1-3 and 6-7) are all alicyclic unsaturated compounds.

Examples (4-5) are open chain highly unsaturated non-cyclic aliphatic compounds.

Examples (1-7) As far as I can tell, non of these selected constitutional isomers can exhibit stereoisomerism i.e. cannot be E/Z (geometrical) or R/S (optical) isomers.

 

(8-) You find many more on https://enAs far as .wikipedia.org/wiki/C4H4

and https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Scheme-1-Grouping-of-C-4-H-4-structures-to-be-expected-on-the-C-4-H-4-PES-The-horizontal_fig1_26877324

quite a few more isomers of C4H4 and quite a variety of structures you are unlikely to come across pre-university.


Extra notes on the isomers of C4H4

A comprehensive breakdown of the isomerism exhibited by organic molecules with the molecular formula C4H4i, including types of isomerism, physical and chemical differences, applications, misconceptions, and exam tips.


Molecular Formula: C4H4 - Overview

C4H4 is a highly unsaturated hydrocarbon formula. It corresponds to several structural isomers, each with distinct bonding patterns and reactivity. These include:

  • Cyclobutadiene (square ring, antiaromatic)

  • Butatriene (linear, conjugated)

  • but-3-en-1-yne (vinylacetylene) (enyne: alkene + alkyne)

  • Methylenecyclopropene (very strained ring)

  • Tetrahedrane (hypothetical, highly strained)


Types of Isomerism in C4H4

Isomerism Type

Description

C4H4 Example

Structural (Constitutional)

Same molecular formula, different connectivity of atoms

Cyclobutadiene versus Vinylacetylene

Functional Group

Different functional groups formed from same atoms

Vinylacetylene (alkene/alkyne) versus Butatriene (conjugated diene)

Ring versus Chain

Cyclic versus acyclic structures

Cyclobutadiene (ring) versus Butatriene (chain)

Stereoisomerism

Not prominent in C4H4 due to lack of chiral centres or restricted rotation from >C=C<

Rare or absent in these isomers


Physical Property Differences between the isomers of C4H4

Isomer

Boiling Point

Stability

Notes

Cyclobutadiene

Very low

Highly unstable

Anti-aromatic, decomposes rapidly

Vinylacetylene

~0–6 °C

Moderately stable

Used industrially; flammable and explosive

Butatriene

Low

Reactive

Conjugated system, less stable than saturated analogs

Methylenecyclopropene

Low

Strained but stable

Stable despite ring strain, forms stable radical cations.

Key Insight: Stability is influenced by aromaticity, ring strain, and conjugation. Cyclobutadiene is antiaromatic and unstable, while methylenecyclopropene is surprisingly stable despite ring strain.


Chemical Reactivity Differences between the isomers of C4H4

Isomer

Reactivity Type

Example Reactions

Cyclobutadiene

Highly reactive, antiaromatic

Undergoes [4+2] cycloadditions; unstable in isolation

Vinylacetylene

Electrophilic addition, polymerization

Reacts with HCl to form chloroprene (synthetic rubber precursor)

Butatriene

Diels-Alder reactions

Can act as diene in cycloadditions

Methylenecyclopropene

Radical and ionic reactions

Forms stable radical cations; used in mass spectrometry studies

Exam Tip: Link reactivity to structure - conjugated systems favour pericyclic reactions; strained rings favour ring-opening or rearrangement.


Uses and Applications of the isomers of C4H4

Isomer

Application

Notes

Vinylacetylene

Intermediate in chloroprene synthesis

Used in synthetic rubber production

Cyclobutadiene

Theoretical interest, organometallic complexes

Ligand in metal complexes; not used industrially due to instability

Butatriene

Spectroscopic studies, astrochemistry

Detected in interstellar medium derivatives

Methylenecyclopropene

Mass spectrometry calibration, theoretical chemistry

Stable radical cation; benchmark for computational studies


Common Misconceptions about the isomers of C4H4

  • “All isomers have similar properties” - False. Even small structural changes (e.g. ring versus chain) drastically affect boiling point, reactivity, and stability.

  • “Cyclobutadiene is aromatic” - Incorrect. It’s antiaromatic, violating Hückel’s rule (4π electrons).

  • “Isomers differ only by rotation” - Misleading. True isomers require bond breaking/reforming, not just rotation.


Exam Revision Tips for questions that may involve the isomers of C4H4

  • Draw all possible isomers - Use skeletal formulae and identify ring versus chain structures.

  • Classify isomerism types - Structural (chain, functional group), not stereoisomerism for C4H4

  • Link structure to reactivity - Use examples like vinylacetylene’s industrial role.

  • Use mnemonic for aromaticity - Hückel’s rule: ( 4n + 2 ) π electrons = aromatic; ( 4n ) = antiaromatic.

  • Spectra - C4H4 isomers show distinct mass spectra fragmentation patterns and differences in NMR spectra.


Learning objectives - questions to be answered?

How do you work out the structure of the isomers of molecular formula C4H4?

How do you draw the structural formula and skeletal formula of the isomers of molecular formula C4H4?

How do you name the isomers of molecular formula C4H4?

How many aliphatic structural isomers are there of molecular formula C4H4?

How many aliphatic carbon chain isomers are there of molecular formula C4H4?

How many positional isomers are there of molecular formula C4H4?

Are there any aliphatic open chain alkene isomers of molecular formula C4H4?

Are there any carboxylic acid isomers of molecular formula C4H4?

Are there any ester isomers of molecular formula C4H4?

Are there any enol isomers of molecular formula C4H4?

Are there any alkene isomers of molecular formula C4H4?

Are there any alcohol isomers of molecular formula C4H4?

Are there any aldehyde isomers of molecular formula C4H4?

Are there any ketone isomers of molecular formula C4H4?

Are there any functional group isomers with a molecular formula C4H4?

Does C4H4 have any stereoisomers?

Are there any E/Z (geometrical) isomers with a molecular formula C4H4?

Are there any R/S (optical) isomers (enantiomers) with a molecular formula C4H4?

How many E/Z (geometrical) isomers are there of molecular formula C4H4?

How many R/S (optical) isomers (enantiomers) of molecular formula C4H4?

This page will answer these questions for molecular formula C4H4


Associated organic chemistry  links

Index of sets of isomers for a given molecular formula

 All my advanced Level pre-university organic chemistry notes

 IR, mass and H-1 and C-13 NMR spectra of organic compounds

The molecular structure and naming of ALKANES (how to name and draw alkane structures)

The molecular structure and naming of ALKENES (how to name and draw alkene structures)

Index of revision notes on the chemistry of ALKANES and the petrochemical industry

INDEX of ALL revision notes on the chemistry ALKENES including reactions and polymers

Isomerism: introduction, structural isomerism - chain, positional, functional group, tautomerism

Stereoisomerism: introduction, definition, priority rules, E/Z isomerism (cis/trans isomerism)

Stereoisomerism - R/S isomerism (optical isomerism) - definition - examples explained

 This is a big chemistry website, please allow time to explore it


Summary diagram of isomerism which links to details of the types of isomerism

index for all isomerism pages

Website content © Dr Phil Brown 2000+. All copyrights reserved on revision notes, images, quizzes, worksheets etc. Copying of website material is NOT permitted. Exam revision summaries & references to science course specifications are unofficial. These notes are suitable for use of pre-university students studying AQA advanced level chemistry, Edexcel advanced level chemistry, OCR advanced level chemistry, IB advanced level chemistry, WJEC (Eduqas) advanced level chemistry, CIE advanced level chemistry, they will also prove useful to 1st year undergraduate students of chemistry

Keywords or phrases: how many isomers are there of molecular formula C4H4? how do you name the isomers of molecular formula C4H4? what is the molecular structure of the isomers of C4H4, what type of isomerism is exhibited by molecules of formula C4H4, how do you work out the isomers of cycloalkenes and alkynes of molecular formula C4H4, what are the structural isomers of C4H4, the carbon chain isomers of C4H4 in the homologous series of alkanes, comparing the spectra of isomers of molecular formula C4H4 how many structural isomers of C4H4 can you draw? how many structural isomers does C4H4 have? what are the possible isomers of C4H4? revision notes on isomerism of C4H4 molecules, isomerism in alkane, alkene and alkyne isomers of C4H4, alkyne isomers of C4H4, the molecular structure of the isomers of C4H4 how to draw the structural formula of isomers of C4H4, how to draw the displayed formula of isomers of C4H4, how to draw the skeletal formula of isomers of C4H4 cycloalkenes and alkynes, how to name the isomers of molecular formula C4H4, isomers of C4H4 of molecular mass ? R/S optical isomers enantiomers of C4H4 cycloalkenes and alkynes E/Z isomers cis trans stereoisomers of C4H4 E/Z isomers of molecular formula C4H4 (geometric cis/trans isomers) alkene molecules isomeric of molecular formula C4H4, molecules isomeric with molecular formula C4H4, structural isomers of molecular formula C4H4, optical isomers R/S enantiomers isomeric with molecular formula C4H4, positional isomers isomeric with cycloalkenes and alkynes of molecular formula C4H4, which types of isomerism are exhibited by molecules isomeric with molecular formula C4H4 alkyl positional isomers of C4H4 branched carbon chain alkene isomers of C4H4 cycloalkanes of molecular formula C4H4 which are isomeric with alkenes of molecular formula C4H4 stereoisomers of molecular formula C4H4 cycloalkene molecules isomeric of molecular formula C4H4, cycloalkenes and alkynes molecules isomeric with molecular formula C4H4, structural isomers of molecular formula C4H4, optical isomers R/S enantiomers isomeric with molecular formula C4H4, positional isomers isomeric with molecular formula C4H4, which types of isomerism are exhibited by molecules isomeric with molecular formula C4H4 alkyl positional isomers of C4H4 cycloalkenes and alkynes branched carbon chain cycloalkene isomers of molecular formula C4H4

TOP OF PAGE