Hexane

What Is Hexane?

Hexane, also called hexanes, is a mixture of straight-chain alkanes with six carbon atoms. It consists of approximately 60 percent n-hexane, varying amounts of the isomers 2-methylpentane and 3-methylpentane, and smaller amounts of non-isomer alkanes. Hexane is colorless and odorless when pure and has a boiling point of roughly 69°C (156°F).

This solvent cannot be easily deprotonated and is therefore used in labs for reactions involving very strong bases, like preparing organolithiums. Hexane can also extract oil and grease from water and soil. In chromatography, hexane is used as a non-polar solvent, but its alkanes may interfere with analyses if the sample becomes contaminated.

Hexane is obtained primarily by crude oil refinement and its composition depends on the source of the oil and the refining process.

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Physical and Chemical Properties

Property	Value
Property	Molecular Weight	Value 86.18 g/mol
Property	Density	Value 0.6606 g/mL 25°C
Property	Boiling Point	Value 68.73°C
Property	Melting Point	Value -95.3°C
Property	Flash Point	Value -22°C
Property	Viscosity	Value 0.300 cP at 25ºC
Property	Dielectric Constant	Value 1.890 at 20°C
Property	UV Cutoff	Value 210 nm
Property	Refractive Index	Value 1.3727 at 25°C
Property	Vapor Pressure	Value 13 mm Hg at 20°C
Property	Water Solubility	Value 0.0095 mg/mL at 25°C
Property	Heat of Combustion	Value 4163.2 kJ/mol
Property	Heat of Vaporization	Value 1.56 kJ/mol at 25°C
Property	Surface Tension	Value 17.89 mN/m at 25°C

How Is Hexane Used?

Hexane is used in textile manufacturing to make glues and adhesives for shoes, leather products, and roofing. It’s also used for cleansing and degreasing and to extract cooking oils, like canola or soy, from seeds.

Designations and Grades

Property	Value
Property	CAS Number	Value 110-54-3
Property	MDL Number	Value MFCD00009520
Property	RIDAD/UN Number	Value 1208
Property	Beilstein Registry	Value 1730733
Property	EG/EC Number	Value 203-777-6
Property	NSC Number	Value 8472
Property	ICSC Number	Value 0279
Property	RTECS Number	Value MN9275000

Grades

ACS/ACS Reagent/Certified ACS

Biochemical

Dry/Extra Dry/Molecular Sieve

Electronic

Environmental

GC/Pesticide Residue/HR-GC

HPLC/HPLC Gradient/LC-MS

Laboratory/Technical

Pesticide

Spectrophotometry

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