Chemical Properties

Stability:

Chemically, methane is very stable and remains unaffected when treated with KMnO4, K2Cr2O7, H2SO4, HNO3, etc. under normal conditions.

2. Combustion:

Methane burns in excess of air or oxygen with a pale-blue nonluminous flame to give carbon dioxide and water. The combustion reaction is highly exothermic. Therefore, methane is an excellent fuel.

In the presence of insufficient air (or oxygen), methane undergoes incomplete (or partial) combustion producing carbon monoxide (CO) gas. Carbon monoxide gas is highly poisonous.