Substance profile
Hexane
Hexane is a liquid with a gasoline-like odor.
01 · Identification
What Hexane is
Hexane is a liquid with a gasoline-like odor. It boils at 68.7 °C, melts at -95.3 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs).
Other names for Hexane
- n-hexane
- C6H14
- Dipropyl
- Gettysolve-B
- Hexane (N)
- Hexanes
- Hexyl Hydride
- Normal Hexane
- Normal-Hexane
- Skellysolve B
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H225 | Highly flammable liquid and vapour. |
| H361f | Suspected of damaging fertility. |
| H304 | May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways. |
| H336 | May cause drowsiness or dizziness. |
| H372 | Causes damage to organs <or state all organs affected, if known> through prolonged or repeated exposure <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H315 | Causes skin irritation. |
| H411 | Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. |
Precautionary statements: P210, P233, P241, P242, P260, P264, P270, P273, P280, P302, P313, P314, P332, P352, P391, P403, P501
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Hexane properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 68.73 °C (155.7 °F) | HSDB | |
| 68.89 °C (156 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 68.89 °C (156 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | -95.35 °C (-139.6 °F) | HSDB | |
| -139.44 °C (-219 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| -95 °C (-139 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Density | 0.66 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 0.659 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| 0.6606 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Solubility | Very soluble in ethanol; soluble in ethyl ether, chloroform | HSDB | |
| 9.5 to 13 mg/L at 20 °C in distilled water, 75.5 mg/L at 20 °C in salt water | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| In water, 9.5 mg/L at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 124 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 120 mmHg | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 153 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Flash point | -21.67 °C (-7 °F) | HSDB | |
| -23 °C (-9.4 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 225 °C (437 °F) | HSDB | |
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 1.1 % by volume | by volume | HSDB |
| 1.1 % by volume | NIOSH | ||
| 1.2 % by volume | CAMEO | ||
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 7.5 % by volume | by volume | HSDB |
| 7.5 % by volume | NIOSH | ||
| Vapor density | 2.97 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 3 (air = 1) | ICSC | ||
| Odor threshold | 0.0064 mg/l | HSDB | |
| Odor Threshold Low: 65.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map | ||
| Odor Threshold High: 248.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map | ||
| Critical temperature and pressure | 234.35 °C (453.8 °F) | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Hexane
Storage conditions
Drums should be stored in a well-ventilated area in fire-resistant containers. Metal containers should be electrically-grounded, when liquid is being transferred.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Forms explosive mixture with air. Contact with strong oxidizers may cause fire and explosions. contact with dinitrogen tetreoxide may explode at 28 °C. Attacks some plastics, rubber and coatings. may accumulate static electrical charges, and may cause ignition of its vapor.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
N-HEXANE may be sensitive to light. It may also be sensitive to prolonged exposure to heat. This compound can react vigorously with oxidizing materials. This would include compounds such as liquid chlorine, concentrated O2, sodium hypochlorite and calcium hypochlorite. It is also incompatible with dinitrogen tetraoxide. It will attack some forms of plastics, rubber and coatings. (NTP, 1992).
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Hexane in the storage compatibility matrix →
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