Methane
The simplest hydrocarbon, methane is a gas with a formula of CH4.
A principle component of natural gas, methane is a significant fuel. However, the strength of the carbon-hydrogen covalent bond in methane is among the strongest in all hydrocarbons, and thus limits its use as a chemical feedstock. The search for catalysts which can facilitate C-H bond activation in methane and other low alkanes is an area of research with significant industrial significance.
Methane is a greenhouse gas with a global warming potential of 22 (meaning that it has 22 times the warming ability of carbon dioxide). This gas is also formed from the decomposition or biogenic mater and is therefore also a biogas.