Hexane

Description

General name for any isomeric form of the hydrocarbon with the formula C6H14. Hexane is the major component in ligroin petroleum distillate. It is used as a solvent for oils, fats, waxes, pressure sensitive adhesives, and as a paint thinner.

Note: The physical parameters for normal (straight chain) hexane are provided with this entry.

Synonyms and Related Terms

hexyl hydride; n-hexane

Other Properties

Soluble in ethanol, acetone and ether. Insoluble in water.

Composition	CH3(CH2)4CH3
CAS	100-54-3
Melting Point	-95
Density	0.65937
Molecular Weight	mol. wt. = 86.2
Refractive Index	1.37486
Boiling Point	68.742

Hazards and Safety

Flammable, fire risk. Inhalation can adversely affect nervous system. Skin contact can cause irritation and redness.

LINK: International Chemical Safety Card

Comparisons

Properties of Common Solvents

Authority

• R. J. Gettens, G.L. Stout, Painting Materials, A Short Encyclopaedia, Dover Publications, New York, 1966

• Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993

• Matt Roberts, Don Etherington, Bookbinding and the Conservation of Books: a Dictionary of Descriptive Terminology, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington DC, 1982

• Random House, Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, Grammercy Book, New York, 1997

• The Merck Index, Martha Windholz (ed.), Merck Research Labs, Rahway NJ, 10th edition, 1983 Comment: entry 4729; ref. index=1.37486 (mixed isomers)

• The American Heritage Dictionary or Encarta, via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998

• CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, Robert Weast (ed.), CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, v. 61, 1980 Comment: ref. index=1.372 (n-hexane)