n-Hexane
n-Hexane is a saturated, straight-chain aliphatic hydrocarbon (or alkane) with the general formula CnH2n+2 and one of a series of hydrocarbons with low boiling points (between 40 and 90 °C) obtainable from petroleum by various processes (cracking, reforming). These hydrocarbons are a mixture of alkanes and cycloalkanes with five to seven carbon atoms (n-pentane, n-hexane, n-heptane, isopentane, cyclopentane, 2-methylpentane, 3-methylpentane, cyclohexane, methylcyclopentane). Their fractional distillation produces single hydrocarbons that may be of varying degrees of purity.
Hexane is sold commercially as a mixture of isomers with six carbon atoms, boiling at 60 to 70 °C. The isomers most commonly accompanying it are 2-methylpentane, 3-methylpentane, 2,3-dimethylbutane and 2,2-dimethylbutane. The term technical hexane in commercial use denotes a mixture in which are to be found not only n-hexane and its isomers but also other aliphatic hydrocarbons with five to seven carbon atoms (pentane, heptane and their isomers).
Hydrocarbons with six carbon atoms, including n-hexane, are contained in the following petroleum derivatives: petroleum ether, petrol (gasoline), naphtha and ligroin, and fuels for jet aircraft.