Decane

Decane

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
SMILES CCCCCCCCCC
Properties
Chemical formula	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)
Solubility in water	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
Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfHo298)	−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

Handling

Safety

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

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

Relevant Sciencemadness threads

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