n-Hexane

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n-Hexane

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Hexane – C6H14

What is Hexane?

Hexane is an unbranched hydrocarbon with formula C6H14.

Hexane is a nonpolar molecule with a weak intermolecular interactions occur between the molecules of pure liquid hydrocarbons. It is a highly volatile, flammable toxic chemical which is a by-product made from crude oil. Hexane isomers are to a great extent lifeless, and are every now and again utilized as an organic solvent since they are very non-polar.

Other names – Amyl Carbinol, 1-Hexanol, Hexyl alcohol, 1-Hydroxyhexane

C6H14 Hexane
Density 655 kg/m³
Molecular Weight/ Molar Mass 86.18 g/mol
Boiling Point 68.5 to 69.1 °C
Melting Point −96 to −94 °C
Chemical Formula CH3(CH2)4CH3

n-Hexane Chemical Structure

Physical Properties of Hexane – C6H14

Odour Gasoline-like odor
Appearance Colorless volatile liquid
Complexity 12
Vapour Pressure 17.60 kPa (at 20.0 °C)
Viscosity 3.26 X 10-4 Pa-s at 20 deg C
Solubility 9.5 mg L−1

Chemical Properties of Hexane – C6H14

    • Hexane undergoes combustion reaction readily to form carbon dioxide and water molecules.

2C6H14 + 19O2 → 12CO2 + 14H2O

    • Hexane being a higher hydrocarbons undergo thermal cracking forms more than one hydrocarbon.

C6H14 (on thermal cracking) → C4H10(butane) + C2H4(ethene)

Uses of Hexane – C6H14

  • One of the most commonly used solvents in synthetic reactions using lipases.
  • Used in the biodiesel production.
  • Hexane in commercial grades used as solvents for varnishes, inks and adhesives.
  • Used as a min solvent for vegetable oilseed and other non-petroleum oil extraction since the 1940s.
  • Hexane azeotropes have been used for secondary extraction of residual lipids from hexane-extracted meals in order to improve flavor and odour.

Health Hazard

Inhalation causes cough, respiratory track irritation, mild depression, cardiac arrhythmias. Ingestion causes vomiting, nausea, headache, swelling of abdomen and depression. Aspiration causes severe lung irritation, coughing, pulmonary edema, excitement followed by depression.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is hexane used for?

Hexanes are used for the manufacture of clothing, leather goods, and roofing glues. They are also used to extract cooking oils from seeds (such as canola oil or soy oil), to clean and degrease a variety of products, and in textile manufacturing.

Is hexane a good solvent?

When you are trying to dissolve a non-polar compound, hexane is a strong solvent; but, if you were trying to use hexane to dissolve a polar compound it would be very unsuccessful. With a polar compound, water would be a safer option than hexane, because water is polar and can interact more readily with the polar compound.

Why hexane is flammable?

N-Hexane is a crude oil-producing compound. Pure n-Hexane is a liquid with a slightly unpleasant odour. It is extremely flammable, and can be explosive in its vapours. The key application for n-Hexane-containing solvents is to extract vegetable oils from crops such as soybeans.

Does hexane evaporate?

Pure n-hexane is a liquid with a slightly unpleasant odour. This evaporates very quickly into the sun, and just partially dissolves in water. N-Hexane is extremely flammable, and can have volatile vapours.

Why hexane is used for extraction?

N-hexane is used as a solvent in solvent extraction for its attributes such as quick recovery, non-polar existence, low vaporizing latent heat (330 kJ / kg), and high solvent selectivity. Enzyme processing has significant potential to extract oil in the oilseed industry.

Where to buy n-Hexane?

n-Hexane: n-Hexane is one of the main products of our company. Its purity is between 60 ~ 85% (WT). It can be used as the solvent of catalyst in the production process of polyethylene and polypropylene. It is also a high-quality vegetable oil extraction solvent and rubber solvent. Sales inquiry: info@junyuanpetroleumgroup.com

Under less stringent conditions, petroleum ether can be replaced with n-Hexane. n-Hexane is also a mixture! HPLC grade only if the purity of n-Hexane is greater than or equal to 97%! 

Petroleum Ether
Petroleum ether is a mixture of lower alkanes. A mixture of pentane and hexane with a boiling point in the range of 30-60 ℃; The boiling point in the range of 90-120 ℃ is a mixture of heptane and octane. They are mainly used as organic solvents. Petroleum ether is extremely flammable and toxic. Special attention should be paid to safety during use and storage.

The elution intensity of agricultural residue n-hexane and petroleum ether is still different, and n-hexane is generally better

Comparison:
Petroleum ether: light petroleum product, with grades of 30 ~ 60 ℃ and 60 ~ 90 ℃, which is mainly composed of pentane and hexane. It can be prepared from platinum reforming raffinate or straight run gasoline by fractionation, hydrogenation or other methods.
N-hexane: it can be separated from petroleum fraction at 68.74 ℃.

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