Hexane

Hexane is a hydrocarbon of the alkane series that is obtained from natural gas and petroleum. It is a colorless liquid, odorless when pure, and with boiling points approximately that of boiling water. It is widely used as a cheap, relatively safe, largely unreactive, and easily evaporated non-polar solvent.

Chemical Properties

Hexane is a significant constituent of gasoline. It is also a versatile industrial solvent. In industry, hexanes are used in the formulation of glues for shoes, leather products, and roofing. They are also used to extract cooking oils (such as canola oil or soy oil) from seeds, for cleansing and degreasing a variety of items, and in textile manufacturing.

Health Effects

Inhalation of hexane vapors can be neurotoxic, leading to a medical condition known as "hexane poisoning". The initial symptoms are tingling and cramps in the arms and legs, followed by general muscular weakness. In severe cases, atrophy of the skeletal muscles is observed, along with a loss of coordination and problems of vision.

Safety

In the US, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set a permissible exposure limit (PEL) for hexane is 500 ppm (1800 mg/m3) over an 8-hour workday.

See Also

• Alkane
• Hydrocarbon
• Natural gas
• Petroleum
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Hexane Resources
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