Hexane

solvents-hexane-banner-c6h14-d-20-396-2073

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.

View All Hexane Products

solvents-hexane-image-c6h14-20-396-2073

Physical and Chemical Properties

PropertyValue  

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

PropertyValue  

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