n-Pentane
| Formula | C5H12 |
| Chemical formula | CH3(CH2)3CH3 |
| Density | ~ 0.63 g/cm3 (20°c) |
| Molar mass | 72.15 g/mol |
| CAS number | 109-66-0 |
| HS Code | 29011000 |
| EC number | 601-006-00-1 |
| Storage | store at +15 to +30 °c |
| SDS | available |
| RTECS | RZ9450000 |
| R phrase | R 12-51/53-65-66-67 |
| S phrase | S 9-16-29-33-61-62 |
| Odour | benzine- like |
| Form | liquid |
| Color | colourless |
| Explosion limit | 1.4 to 8.0 vol % |
| Ignition temprature | 285°C |
| Solubility in water | 0.36 g/l (16°c) |
| Flash point | _48 °C |
| Melting point | ~-129.7 °C |
| Boiling point | 36.1°C |
| Vapur pressure | 573 hPa (20°c) |
| Viscosity dynamical | 0.25mPa*s (20°c) |
| Saturation Concentration | 1689 g/m3 (20°c) |
| Assay | ≥ | 99.0 | % |
| Appearance | Clear | ||
| Identification | Conforms | ||
| Colour | ≤ | 10 | Hazen |
| Density | 0.626 to 0.628 | ||
| Acidity | ≤ | 0.0002 | meq/g |
| Matter discoloured by H2SO4 | ≤ | 10 | Hazen |
| Sulfur compounds | ≤ | 0.005 | % |
| Heavy metals | ≤ | 0.00001 | % |
| Evaporation residue | ≤ | 0.001 | % |
| Water | ≤ | 0.01 | % |
n-Pentane is a colorless, volatile, and flammable organic liquid widely used in chemical and pharmaceutical laboratories, particularly known for its role as a non-polar solvent and reference compound in chromatography and thermodynamic studies.
🏭⚗️ Production
n-Pentane is typically obtained from natural gas and petroleum through fractional distillation processes. It is separated from other hydrocarbons during refining and may be further purified by distillation to isolate the normal (straight-chain) isomer from branched isomers like isopentane and neopentane.
🔬 Properties
n-Pentane is a clear and highly volatile liquid with a characteristic gasoline-like odor. It has a relatively low boiling point of around thirty-six degrees Celsius and a melting point near negative one hundred twenty-nine degrees Celsius. Its molar mass is approximately seventy-two grams per mole. It is immiscible with water but miscible with most organic solvents. Due to its low polarity and high vapor pressure, it evaporates quickly and is widely used in evaporation-based techniques. It is also highly flammable and forms explosive mixtures with air at room temperature.
🧪 Applications
In laboratory settings, n-pentane is frequently used as a non-polar solvent for organic reactions, recrystallization, and extraction processes. It is also employed as a blowing agent in the production of polystyrene foams and as a calibration standard in gas chromatography due to its consistent vaporization behavior. In pharmaceutical and biochemical research, it is occasionally used for sample preparation, solvent washing, and phase separation techniques involving lipophilic compounds.
⚠️ Safety
n-Pentane is highly flammable and should be handled with extreme care away from sources of ignition. Inhalation of vapors can cause dizziness, headache, and central nervous system depression. Prolonged skin contact may cause dryness or irritation. It should be used only in well-ventilated areas or under a fume hood, and appropriate personal protective equipment including gloves and eye protection is essential. n-Pentane must be stored in tightly sealed containers in a cool, dry, and explosion-proof location.
