n-Hexane

About This Product

Hexane, formula C6H14 and CAS number 110-54-3 for the linear isomer n-hexane, is a clear, colourless, volatile paraffinic solvent boiling in the 64 to 70 °C range. It is insoluble in water and dissolves oils, fats, waxes and many resins. Commercial hexane is not one compound but a C6 refinery cut, and the n-hexane content is what separates the grades. In the 60 to 80 percent grades the balance is branched and cyclic C6 isomers such as the methylpentanes and methylcyclopentane, which make no difference to a solvent extraction plant: what matters there is a narrow boiling range for clean solvent recovery, low residue, and low benzene and sulphur. Hexane is one of the extraction solvents permitted under EU Directive 2009/32/EC for producing edible fats and oils, subject to residue limits in the finished oil. The 97 and 99 percent grades are for uses where a single, defined component matters, such as pharmaceutical extraction, catalyst and polymerisation slurries and laboratory work. n-Hexane itself is metabolised to 2,5-hexanedione, a nerve toxin, which is why workplace exposure limits are strict and why some cleaning and adhesive users choose low-n-hexane isomer blends instead. It is used for vegetable oil extraction from soybean, rapeseed and other oilseeds, in pharmaceutical and botanical extraction, as a solvent for adhesives and rubber, in electronics cleaning and in polyolefin manufacture. Bio Green Chem supplies n-hexane at 60, 70, 80, 97 and 99 percent minimum n-hexane content, to specification on density, boiling range, bromine index, evaporation residue, sulphur, benzene and lead, in 132 kg drums or ISO tanks. It is highly flammable and toxic to the nervous system on repeated exposure; handle to the safety data sheet.