Decane

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Decane
Decane bottle and sample.jpg
Decane sample with its original bottle.
Names
IUPAC name
n-Decane
Systematic IUPAC name
Decane
Other names
D10
Decyl hydride
n-Decane
N-Decane
Identifiers
Jmol-3D images Image
Properties
C10H22
Molar mass 142.29 g/mol
Appearance Colorless viscous liquid
Odor Petroleum-like
Faint bitumen-like
Density 0.730 g/cm3 (20 °C)
0.7255 g/cm3 (25 °C)
Melting point −29.7 °C (−21.5 °F; 243.5 K)
Boiling point 174.2 °C (345.6 °F; 447.3 K)
0.9·10-6 g/100 ml (20 °C)
5.2·10-6 g/100 ml (25 °C)
Solubility Miscible with ethanol, halocarbons, hydrocarbons
Slightly soluble in CCl4
Solubility in salt water 8.7·10-6 g/100 ml (20 °C)
Vapor pressure 0.195 kPa (at 25 °C)
Thermochemistry
−302.1–−299.9 kJ·mol−1
Hazards
Safety data sheet ScienceLab
Flash point 46 °C (115 °F; 319 K)
Related compounds
Related compounds
Nonane
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Decane or n-decane is an organic chemical compound with the chemical formula C10H22. It is a straight-chain hydrocarbon, which appears as a thin liquid with a viscosity similar to water.

Properties

Chemical

Decane will burn in air in the presence of an ignition source, releasing carbon dioxide, water and soot.

C10H22 + 21/2 O2 → 10 CO2 + 11 H2O

Physical

Decane is a colorless liquid, insoluble in water, but miscible with other organic solvents. It has a very weak odor, described by some as being petroleum or bitumen-like. Decane boils at around 174 °C and freezes close to −30 °C.

Availability

Decane can be extracted from various petroleum solvents, such as Stoddard solvent (which contains a mixture of aliphatic and alicyclic C7 to C12 hydrocarbons), via fractional distillation, though you need a large amount of Stoddard solvent to obtain any useful amount of n-decane.

Decane can also be purchased from chemical suppliers.

Preparation

Decane is best purchased or extracted from petroleum products than prepared.

Complete reduction of caproic acid will yield n-decane.

Projects

  • Organic extractions
  • Make halodecanes

Handling

Safety

Decane is toxic if consumed, but generally it's quite harmless. Due to its high boiling point, it gives off few vapors, though if heated the amount of vapors will increase, which may irritate the eyes on contact. Decane is flammable and will ignite in the presence of an ignition source, though due to its high flash point, it needs to be preheated first.

In high concentrations, n-decane vapors may have slight narcotic effects.

Storage

Decane should be stored in closed bottles, away from any heat source. Due to its high boiling point, very little will evaporate over the years, so it's not necessary to use a special storage bottle or a bottle with a PTFE seal cap.

Disposal

Decane can be mixed with a more flammable solvent and safely burned outside.

References

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