Hexane Formula – Structure, Properties, Uses, Sample Questions

Hexane is a hydrocarbon made up of carbon and hydrogen atoms.The formula of hexane is C₆H₁₄ .Hexane is a chemical commonly extracted from petroleum and crude oil .it is highly flammable yet it can be found in many household products.

Carbon is a chemical element with the symbol C. Its atomic number is 6.The electron configuration of carbon is 1s² 2s² 2p² with four valency electrons .It is the basic building block for all forms of life on earth. It is the fourth most abundant element in the universe and it is the second most abundant element in the human body.

Hydrogen is a chemical element with the symbol H. Its atomic number is 1 . It is the most abundant element on the earth. It is the simplest element. The most plentiful gas in the universe. It never occurs by itself in nature and always combines with other elements such as oxygen and carbon.

Hexane

The general formula for alkanes is C_nH_2n+2. Hexane is a hydrocarbon alkane with the chemical formula C₆H₁₄. It is an unbranched alkane containing six carbon atoms. Each carbon atom is single-bonded to a hydrogen atom. Alkanes follow the formula( C_nH_2n+2) where n is the number of carbon atoms. It is a colorless liquid with a slightly dischargeable odor.it is highly flammable. It has a role as a nonpolar solvent and a neurotoxin. These solvents are used as cleaning agents in the printing, textile, and furniture industries. It has four isomers. They are 2-methyl pentane,3-methyl pentane,2,2-dimethyl butane, and 2,3-dimethyl butane.

Structure Of Hexane

The chemical formula of hexane is C₆H₁₄. Carbon is a chemical element with the symbol C. Its atomic number is 6 and its electron configuration is 1s² 2s² 2p². Carbon has 4 valance electrons. Here are 6 carbons so it has 24 valance electrons. Hydrogen is a chemical element with the symbol H. Its atomic number is 1 and its electron configuration is 1s¹. Hydrogen has 1 valance electron but there are 14 hydrogens so it has 14 valance electrons. Here finally we have 38 valance electrons for C₆H₁₄. Hexane belongs to the alkane group. Alkanes have only single bonds. Hexane has six carbon atoms single-bonded together surrounded by hydrogen atoms looks like as below.

Hexane

Preparation Of Hexane

• Hexane is prepared by the refining of crude oil
• The exact composition of the fraction depends largely on the source of the oil and the constraints of the refining
• Hexane is produced by the reaction of n-propyl chloride with sodium metal in presence of ether   i.e. 2 moles of 1-chloropropane react with 2 molecules of sodium in the presence of dry ether to give hexane and sodium chloride  

2 C₃H₇Cl + 2 Na —–^ether——–>C₆H₁₄ + 2 NaCl

• n-hexane is produced from 1-bromopropane 

CH₃CH₂CH₂Br —-^Li—_CuI—–>(CH₃CH₂CH₂)₂LiCu_{(Lithium dipropylcuprate)} —–^CH₃^CH₂^CH₂^Br———>CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃

• n-hexane is prepared by using sodium metal n-propyl bromide 

2 CH₃CH₂CH₂Br + 2 Na —^Ether——-> C₆H₁₄ +2 NaBr

Physical Properties Of Hexane

• The molecular weight of Hexane is 86.18 g/mol
• Its density is 655 kg/m³
• Its boiling point is approximate 69^οC
• Its melting point is -96 to -94^οC
• Its complexity is 12
• Its vapor pressure is 17.60 kPa

Chemical Properties Of hexane

• The chemical formula of hexane is C₆H₁₄
• Alkanes are nonpolar solvents
• Hexane does not dissolve in water 
• It is easily absorbed through the skin
• It is a colorless volatile liquid
• Alkanes are relatively unreactive
• Alkanes do not react with strong acids, bases, oxidizing agents
• Hydrocarbons are found in nature in many forms mainly as liquid petroleum, it is known as crude oil
• Hexane is undergo thermal cracking to form more than one hydrocarbon                                                                        

C₆H₁₄ ——–> C₄H₁₀ + C₂H₄

• Hexane is undergo hydrocarbon combustion to form carbon dioxide and water molecules                                                     

2 C₆H₁₄ + 19 O₂ ——-> 12 CO₂ + 14 H₂O

• Hexane reacted with bromine to form a colorless product Bromo hexane and hydrobromic acid                                       

C₆H₁₄ + Br₂ ——-> C₆H₁₃Br + HBr

• Hexane reacts with sulfuric acid to form Benzotriyne, water, and sulfur.                                                                              

3 C₆H₁₄ + 7 H₂SO₄ —–> 3C₆ + 28H₂O + 7S

• Hexane reacts with oxygen to form carbon dioxide and water                                                                                             

C₆H₁₄ + 19/2 O₂  ⇢ 6 CO₂ + 7H₂O

Health Hazards Of Hexane

• Inhaling of hexane can irritate the nose, throat, and lungs
• It can cause headache, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness 
• Higher levels can cause coma and death
• It can cause muscular weakness and blurred vision
• It can damage your nervous system
• It can cause dermatitis on prolonged exposure.

Uses Of Hexane

• Hexane is commonly used in chromatography as a nonpolar solvent 
• It is used to extract cooking oils from seeds
• It is used in the textile manufacturing 
• It is used in the laboratory for reactions
• It is used in the biodiesel production

Sample Questions

Question 1: What are the daily uses of hexane?

Answer:

Hexane is used for extracting oils from seeds and vegetables. It is used as a cleaning agent in the textile furniture and printing industries. Hexane is used in the formation of glues for shoes, leather products, and roofing . Common household products such as contact cement, arts, and craft paints, and stain removers contain hexane.

Question 2: Why hexane does not mix with water?

Answer:

Hexane does not dissolve in water. Because water is a polar covalent substance and hexane is nonpolar. It dissolves in toluene but water does not dissolve in toluene. Hexane can dissolve nonpolar substances but not polar substances.

Question 3: What are the uses of carbon?

Answer:

Carbon is a chemical element with the symbol C. It is widely used for various purposes. It can be present in coal, petroleum, natural gas, etc. Carbon allotropes are used for various purposes . Diamond is used for making tools for cutting or drilling. Graphite is used in making electrical appliances, etc. 

Question 4: Can hexane conduct electricity?

Answer:

It does not conduct electricity as there are no electrons free to move and carry a charge. It has a high melting point and boiling point as much energy is needed to break the many strong covalent bonds.

Question 5: What are the main hazards of hexane?

Answer:

Exposure to hexane can cause headaches, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. Higher levels can cause coma and death. It may also cause irritation of the eyes and nose.

Question 6: What are the uses of hydrogen?

Answer:

Hydrogen is a chemical element with the symbol H. It is used in ammonia synthesis. It is used for industrial purposes in chemical and refining. Hydrogen can be used in fuel cells to generate electricity or power and heat. and also used in petroleum refining and fertilizer production.

Question 7: What are the isomers of hexane?

Answer:

There are five isomers of hexane 

1. n-hexane
2. 2-methyl pentane 
3. 3-methyl pentane
4. 2,3-dimethyl butane
5. 2,2-dimethyl butane