Description
Isopentane 99% (CAS No. 78-78-4) is a high-purity grade for applications where trace impurities matter. Specifically, it works as an induced condensing agent (ICA) and catalyst carrier in polyethylene (PE) gas-phase and liquid-phase polymerization processes.
Unlike foam-blowing applications, polymerization processes are highly sensitive to polar impurities such as trace water, oxygen, and unsaturated compounds. Even a few ppm of contamination can deactivate Ziegler-Natta or metallocene catalyst systems, so this grade meets tighter tolerances than the standard 95% commercial grade. However, for general foam-blowing use, our Isopentane 95% is usually the more cost-effective choice.
Isopentane 99%: Technical Specifications
| Property |
Specification |
Test Result (Typical) |
| Isopentane Content |
≥99% |
99.78% |
| Molecular Formula |
C5H12 |
— |
| CAS Number |
78-78-4 |
— |
| n-Pentane Content |
≤0.3% |
0.20% |
| Hexane and Heavier |
≤0.5% |
Not detected |
| Butane and Lighter |
≤0.5% |
0.0010% |
| Benzene |
≤10 ppm |
Not detected |
| Total Olefins |
≤20 mg/kg |
4 mg/kg |
| Sulfur Content |
≤1 ppm |
0.21 ppm |
| Bromine Index |
≤10 mgBr/100g |
0.69 mgBr/100g |
| Water Content |
≤20 ppm |
8 ppm |
| Density (20°C) |
0.61-0.65 |
0.618 |
| Appearance |
Clear, colorless |
Conforms |
Applications for Isopentane 99%
Because polyethylene polymerization reactors are sensitive to trace-level contamination, this grade functions reliably as an induced condensing agent in condensing-mode operation, helping remove reaction heat while maintaining stable thermodynamic equilibrium in the reactor. As a result, resin properties such as melt flow index and density stay consistent between batches. What’s more, this grade is not intended for general foam-blowing use, where the 95% grade offers better cost efficiency.
Packaging Options
| Packaging |
Capacity |
| Steel Drums |
200L (130KG net weight) |
| ISO Tank |
14.7MT / 25CBM or 15.5MT / 26CBM |
Overall, Isopentane 99% offers the consistency needed for polymer-grade applications. For additional physical property data, see our PubChem reference entry.