Heptane

Heptane

n-Heptane bottle and sample from it
Names
IUPAC name Heptane
Other names n-Heptane
Identifiers
Jmol-3D images	Image
SMILES CCCCCCC
Properties
Chemical formula	C7H16
Molar mass	100.21 g/mol
Appearance	Colorless liquid
Odor	Gasoline-like
Density	0.6795 g/ml
Melting point	−91.0 to −90.1 °C (−131.8 to −130.2 °F; 182.2 to 183.1 K)
Boiling point	98.1 to 98.7 °C (208.6 to 209.7 °F; 371.2 to 371.8 K)
Solubility in water	0.0003% (20 °C)
Solubility	Miscible with ethanol
Vapor pressure	5.33 kPa (at 20.0 °C)
Thermochemistry
Std molar entropy (So298)	328.57 J K−1 mol−1
Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfHo298)	−225.2–−223.6 kJ mol−1
Hazards
Safety data sheet	ScienceLab
Flash point	−4.0 °C
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
LD50 (Median dose)	17,986 ppm (mouse, 2 hr)
Related compounds
Related compounds	Hexane Octane
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Heptane or n-heptane is the straight-chain alkane with the chemical formula C₇H₁₆, used as solvent.

Properties

Chemical

Heptane will burn when ignited in air to release carbon dioxide, water vapors and soot.

C₇H₁₆ + 11 O₂ → 7 CO₂ + 8 H₂O

Physical

Heptane is a colorless liquid with a petroleum-like odor.

Availability

Certain types of lighter fluids contain heptane.

Car starting fluids contain a mixture of heptane and diethyl ether. Due to the large difference between their boiling points, the mixture can be separated by first distilling the ether, and then the heptane. However, some formulas may also contain other isomers of heptane, making the extraction of the pure n-heptane complicated.

Some barbecue lighter fluids tend to have a mixture of heptane and hexane, with a small addition of naphta, while others can have relative pure heptane.

Preparation

Heptane can be prepared by reducing heptane derivates. However it is generally much cheaper to simply buy the compound.

Projects

• Identify aqueous bromine from iodine
• Organic extractions
• Fuel

Handling

Safety

Heptane is flammable and it's vapors may be irritant if inhaled.

Storage

Heptane is best stored in closed bottles, kept in cold, dark and well ventilated places.

Disposal

Heptane can be safely burned in open air or in an incinerator.

References

Relevant Sciencemadness threads

• heptane byproduct
• Use of n-heptane in column chromatography?