What is the molecular weight and properties of hexane?

Answers

Answered by GPT-4o mini
Hexane is an organic compound with the chemical formula \( C_6H_{14} \). Its molecular weight is approximately 86.18 g/mol.

### Properties of Hexane:

1. **Physical State**: Hexane is a colorless liquid at room temperature.

2. **Boiling Point**: It has a boiling point of about 68.7 °C (155.7 °F).

3. **Melting Point**: The melting point of hexane is around -95 °C (-139 °F).

4. **Density**: The density of hexane is approximately 0.6548 g/cm³ at 20 °C.

5. **Solubility**: Hexane is non-polar and is insoluble in water, but it is soluble in organic solvents such as alcohols, ethers, and other hydrocarbons.

6. **Flammability**: Hexane is highly flammable and poses a fire hazard.

7. **Vapor Pressure**: Hexane has a vapor pressure of about 124 mmHg at 25 °C, which indicates it can readily evaporate at room temperature.

### Chemical Properties:

- **Reactivity**: Hexane is relatively inert under normal conditions but can undergo free radical halogenation reactions (for example, chlorination) when subjected to UV light and reagents like chlorine or bromine.

- **Isomerism**: Hexane has several isomers, including 2-methylpentane, 3-methylpentane, and cyclohexane, which have different physical and chemical properties.

In summary, hexane is a simple alkane with low molecular weight, excellent solvent properties for non-polar compounds, and specific safety considerations due to its flammability.

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