Hexane
Hexane is an alkane with the chemical formula C6H14. As a hydrocarbon, it can undergo hydrocarbon combustion which gives off heat. Traces of hexane can be found in raw natural gas, which is a type of fossil fuel.[2] This hexane is usually removed before being shipped to customers as an energy currency.
Hexane is a volatile, colourless liquid that is highly flammable and insoluble in water.[3] Hexane has several important uses. Hexane is used frequently in the production and extraction of edible oils from nut and vegetable crops, such as soybeans and peanuts.[3]
This organic molecule also has several industrial uses. Primarily, when used in commercial grades, hexane is used as a solvent for glues and varnishes where water cannot be used. This works because hexane is a non-polar solvent while water is a polar solvent. It is also used as a cleaning agent known as a degreaser in the printing industry.[3]
Properties
Below is a table of some of the basic properties of hexane.
| Chemical formula | C6H14 |
| Molar mass | 86.17 grams/mole |
| Melting point | -95oC[4] |
| Boiling point | 69oC[4] |
Combustion Reaction
Hexane also undergoes hydrocarbon combustion, combining with oxygen to form carbon dioxide. The balanced chemical equation for the complete combustion of hexane is:
The hydrocarbon combustion reaction releases heat energy and is an example of an exothermic reaction. The reaction also has a negative enthalpy change (ΔH) value.
For Further Reading
- Chemical energy
- Chemical bond
- Combustion
- Primary energy
- Energy conversion technology
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References
- ↑ "Hexane-3D-vdW.png" Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hexane-3D-vdW.png
- ↑ “NATURAL GAS FAQs,” Pacific Northern Gas RSS. [Online]. Available: http://www.png.ca/natural-gas-faqs/. [Accessed: 24-May-2017]
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 United States Environmental Protection Agency. (November 18, 2013). Hexane [Online]. Available: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-09/documents/hexane.pdf [May 28, 2017].
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Charles E. Ophardt. (2003). Virtual Chembook - Hydrocarbon Boiling Points [Online]. Available: http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook/501hcboilingpts.html [February 16,2015].
