n-Hexane CAS 110-54-3
Chelora Chemicals supplies food-grade and technical n-hexane to edible oil extraction, polymerisation, adhesive and pharmaceutical users worldwide. Because n-hexane carries a specific neurotoxicity classification, every consignment leaves with a batch-specific COA, the current SDS and full dangerous-goods documentation.
Also known as: Hexane · Normal hexane · Hexanes · Food grade hexane · Extraction solvent
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Price, lead time and a sample COA for n-Hexane, usually within one working day. We ship worldwide.
Request a Quote Email the DeskDocumentation
- Batch-specific COA (purity, benzene, residue, distillation range)
- Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
- Transport and dangerous-goods documents
- Third-party inspection on request
- Certificate of origin
What is n-Hexane?
n-Hexane is a straight-chain C6 alkane, C₆H₁₄, a clear, very volatile, highly flammable liquid boiling at 69 °C with a faint petroleum odour.
Commercial hexane is usually a mixture: a 65 to 70% n-hexane cut with isohexanes and methylcyclopentane, distilled from refinery naphtha. Higher-purity grades are available where the application demands.
Its dominant use is edible oil extraction, where it dissolves oil from soybean, rapeseed and other oilseeds and is then stripped and recovered. Polymerisation diluent, adhesive formulation and pharmaceutical extraction take the rest.
n-Hexane is distinct among alkane solvents in causing peripheral neuropathy on chronic exposure, through its metabolite 2,5-hexanedione. That single toxicological fact drives most of its regulation and much of its substitution.
Why n-hexane specifically
- Excellent oil solvency. Dissolves triglycerides efficiently at low temperature, which is why oilseed extraction uses it.
- Low boiling point. At 69 °C it strips cleanly from the extracted oil and meal with modest energy.
- Chemical inertness. Does not react with the oil or the polymer, so it can be recovered and recycled.
- Low water solubility. Separates cleanly from aqueous phases in extraction and polymerisation.
How n-Hexane is Manufactured
n-Hexane is separated from refinery naphtha by distillation, with higher-purity grades requiring further processing.
- Naphtha feed. Light straight-run naphtha from crude distillation is the source.
- Hydrotreating. Sulphur, nitrogen and olefins are removed to protect downstream users and the product odour.
- Distillation. A narrow cut around 65 to 70 °C gives commercial hexane, a mixture of n-hexane and its isomers.
- Benzene removal. Benzene co-boils closely and must be hydrogenated or extracted out, since it is tightly limited.
- High-purity fractionation. Superfractionation or adsorption produces 95%+ n-hexane for demanding applications.
- Finishing. Clay treatment or adsorption removes odour, colour and residue for food-grade material.
Typical Commercial Specification
Figures below are representative of commercial food-grade hexane. High-purity n-hexane carries different limits — tell us the application and we will send the matching sheet.
| Parameter | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Clear colourless liquid, free of suspended matter |
| n-Hexane content | 65% min commercial; 95%+ for high purity grades |
| Benzene | 10 ppm max for food grade |
| Distillation range | Typically 63 to 70 °C |
| Non-volatile residue | To grade, typically 1 mg/100 mL max |
| Sulphur | To grade, typically 1 ppm max |
| Doctor test | Negative |
| Colour (Saybolt) | +30 min |
| Odour | Characteristic, free of foreign odour |
| Water | To grade, typically 50 ppm max |
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Chemical formula | C₆H₁₄ |
| Molecular weight | 86.18 g/mol |
| Appearance | Clear colourless liquid, faint petroleum odour |
| Boiling point | 68.7 °C for pure n-hexane |
| Melting point | −95 °C |
| Flash point | About −22 °C (closed cup) |
| Density | 0.659 g/cm³ at 20 °C |
| Vapour pressure | About 17 kPa at 20 °C |
| Vapour density (relative to air) | 3.0, heavier than air |
| Flammable limits in air | About 1.1 to 7.5% by volume |
| Autoignition temperature | About 225 °C — unusually low |
| Solubility in water | Practically insoluble |
| Incompatibilities | Strong oxidisers, halogens, static accumulation |
Behaviour in the process
Hexane's volatility and low autoignition temperature are the operational facts that matter most:
- Very low autoignition temperature. At about 225 °C, hexane can ignite on hot surfaces well below a visible glow; hot surface control matters as much as sparks.
- Very high volatility. Evaporates rapidly with vapour far heavier than air, pooling in low points and extraction plant pits.
- Static accumulation. Among the worst solvents for static charge generation; bonding and earthing are critical.
- Recovered and recycled. In extraction plants hexane is continuously recovered, so losses and residual solvent in meal are both monitored.
Hexane Grades and Alternative Solvents
Hexane is bought by purity and by whether the application is food contact, which sets the residue and benzene limits.
| Material | Origin / type | When it is the right choice |
|---|---|---|
| Food-grade commercial hexane | 65 to 70% n-hexane, low benzene | Edible oil extraction — the volume application |
| High-purity n-hexane | 95%+ n-hexane | Polymerisation diluent, pharmaceutical and analytical use |
| Isohexane | Branched C6 isomers | Lower neurotoxicity alternative where regulation pushes against n-hexane |
| Heptane | CAS 142-82-5 | Higher boiling alternative with a better toxicological profile |
| Cyclohexane | CAS 110-82-7 | Different solvency profile for specific extraction and reaction duties |
Stated plainly: regulation has pushed many users from n-hexane toward isohexane or heptane on neurotoxicity grounds, at higher cost and with some loss of extraction efficiency. In edible oil extraction the substitution has been slow because the economics are hard to replicate.
Industries We Supply n-Hexane To
Hexane serves food processing, polymers, pharmaceuticals and adhesives.
Where n-Hexane is Used
Edible oil extraction accounts for the largest share of hexane consumption worldwide.
In edible oil extraction
Flaked oilseed is washed with hexane in a counter-current extractor; the miscella is distilled to recover oil and the meal is desolventised with steam. Solvent loss per tonne of seed is a key plant efficiency metric, and residual hexane in the meal is regulated. Because the solvent is recovered and recycled continuously, quality specifications focus on what would accumulate — residue, heavy ends and benzene.
Neurotoxicity and substitution
n-Hexane is metabolised to 2,5-hexanedione, which causes peripheral neuropathy on chronic exposure — a hazard its isomers largely lack. This has driven exposure limits down and prompted substitution with isohexane and heptane in adhesives and cleaning. In oilseed extraction, closed plant design and vapour recovery remain the usual control.
Need a specific grade, purity and packing format?
Tell us the grade, the purity grade, benzene limit and whether food contact documentation is required, the packing format you can receive and the annual quantity. We will come back with a price, a lead time, a sample COA and the full documentation set.
Quality Control & Testing
Every lot is released against a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis, with benzene and residue reported because both matter for food-grade use.
- n-Hexane content and isomer distribution — by gas chromatography, defining the grade.
- Benzene content — reported in ppm because it is tightly limited for food-grade material.
- Non-volatile residue — what would remain in extracted oil; the key food-grade figure.
- Sulphur and doctor test — confirming the hydrotreating was effective and odour is acceptable.
- Distillation range and colour — confirming the cut and freedom from heavy ends.
- Water content — relevant for polymerisation diluent applications.
Common Process Problems & Likely Causes
When hexane causes trouble, it is usually residue, benzene, odour or losses. This table is the shortcut our technical desk works through before anyone opens a complaint file.
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Residue or odour in extracted oil | Non-volatile residue or heavy ends in the solvent | Residue figure, distillation range and doctor test |
| Benzene detected in the oil or meal | Benzene content in the solvent above food-grade limits | Benzene figure on the COA |
| Solvent losses higher than normal | Plant leakage or vapour recovery performance | Loss per tonne against plant benchmarks |
| Residual solvent high in meal | Desolventiser operation rather than solvent quality | Desolventiser steam and residence time |
| Polymerisation catalyst activity falling | Water, sulphur or unsaturates in the diluent | Water, sulphur and purity figures |
| Static ignition incident or near miss | Inadequate bonding during transfer | Earthing, bonding and fill rate procedures |
Packaging, Storage & Shipping
- Standard packing. 200 L drums, 1000 L IBCs, flexitanks, ISO tank containers and bulk parcels.
- Storage. Cool, well-ventilated, earthed and bunded flammable-liquid storage away from ignition sources and hot surfaces.
- Hot surface control. Autoignition at about 225 °C means hot pipework and surfaces are a real ignition risk, not only sparks.
- Static control. Bond and earth all equipment, use bottom filling and limit fill velocity; hexane is among the worst static accumulators.
- Vapour control. Vapour is three times heavier than air and pools in pits and low points; monitor at low level.
- Material compatibility. Carbon steel and stainless steel are standard; hexane swells many elastomers.
- Shelf life. Indefinite in sealed storage. Colour and residue are the practical checks.
- Transport classification. UN 1208, hexanes, Class 3 flammable liquid, packing group II.
Hazards & Safe Handling
n-Hexane is a highly flammable liquid with a specific chronic neurotoxicity hazard. Peripheral neuropathy from its metabolite is what distinguishes it from other alkane solvents and drives its exposure limits.
- Chronic neurotoxicity. Metabolised to 2,5-hexanedione, which causes peripheral neuropathy on prolonged exposure. This hazard is specific to n-hexane and not shared by its isomers.
- Occupational exposure. Limits are low, commonly around 20 to 50 ppm as an 8-hour average; confirm the limit in your jurisdiction.
- Flammability. Flash point about −22 °C and autoignition at only 225 °C. Control hot surfaces as well as sparks and flames.
- Static hazard. Among the most static-prone solvents; bonding, earthing and controlled fill rates are essential.
- Aspiration hazard. Swallowing and aspirating liquid can cause chemical pneumonitis. Never induce vomiting.
- Heavy vapour. Vapour pools in pits and low points; ventilate and monitor at low level.
- Reproductive toxicity. Classified as suspected of damaging fertility in several jurisdictions.
- Environment. Harmful to aquatic life; prevent entry to drains and watercourses.
Regulatory & Compliance Notes
n-Hexane is regulated as a flammable liquid with specific neurotoxicity provisions and food-contact extraction rules. The notes below are orientation rather than legal advice.
- GHS classification. Flammable liquid Category 2, STOT RE Category 2 for neurotoxicity, reproductive toxicity Category 2, aspiration hazard and skin irritation.
- Extraction solvent regulation. Use in food production is governed by extraction solvent directives, with residue limits in oil and meal.
- Dangerous goods transport. UN 1208, Class 3, PG II. ADR, IMDG, IATA and DOT rules apply to packaging, labelling and routing.
- Occupational exposure regulation. Exposure limits have been reduced in several jurisdictions specifically because of the neuropathy hazard.
- VOC and emissions regulation. Extraction plant emissions and solvent losses are regulated in most jurisdictions.
- REACH and inventories. Registered under EU REACH and listed on the major chemical inventories.
We Supply n-Hexane Worldwide
Chelora Chemicals is a supplier and export partner, not a single-plant trader. We ship n-Hexane from India and from partner sources to customers across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and North and South America, handling the export documentation, transport paperwork and freight so the material arrives ready to use.
- Incoterms. EXW, FOB, CIF, CFR and DAP quoted to suit your purchasing terms and freight arrangements.
- Ports. Regular shipments through Nhava Sheva (JNPT) and Mundra, with other ports arranged where routing and cargo rules allow.
- Documentation. Commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, COA, SDS and the transport declaration issued as a complete set.
- Flexible volumes. From a pallet of drums up to repeat bulk shipments on a supply contract.
- Supply continuity. Because we are independent of any one producer, a plant turnaround or a shipping disruption at one source does not have to become your stock-out.
Buying n-Hexane from Chelora
We are an independent sourcing and supply partner. For hexane that means settling three things at enquiry: the purity grade and benzene limit your application allows, whether food-grade extraction documentation is needed, and the bulk logistics into a plant that cannot run without solvent.
- Documentation on every lot. Batch-specific COA (purity, benzene, residue, distillation range), plus SDS and the full transport paperwork.
- Analysis before commitment. Representative analysis shared ahead of a commercial order so your lab can qualify the material.
- Quantities. From a pallet of drums through to full bulk shipments on contract supply.
- Grade matching. Food-grade commercial hexane or high-purity n-hexane to the benzene, residue and purity limits your process requires.
- Inspection. Independent third-party inspection available at loading when the contract requires it.
- Related products. Isopropyl Alcohol, Methyl Ethyl Ketone, Ethyl Acetate and other feedstocks alongside n-Hexane from one supplier.
How ordering works
- Send the enquiry. Product, grade or purity, quantity, destination port and the Incoterm you buy on. If you have a spec sheet, attach it — it saves a round trip.
- We quote. Price, lead time, packing format and a sample COA, normally within one working day.
- Qualify the supply. For first orders or critical applications, we share the analysis and handling documentation so your technical and safety teams can sign off before you commit.
- Confirm the order. Proforma invoice issued; payment terms agreed against the volume and the relationship.
- Allocation and QC. Material allocated and released against a batch-specific COA, with an independent inspection where the contract calls for it.
- Ship and document. Filled, labelled and loaded with the full export document set, and tracked through to arrival.
n-Hexane — Common Questions
The questions our technical desk is asked most often about n-Hexane. If yours isn't here, call or email and you will reach someone who knows the chemistry.
What is the CAS number of n-hexane?
The CAS number for n-hexane is 110-54-3, and its EC number is 203-777-6. Its molecular formula is C₆H₁₄ with a molecular weight of 86.18 g/mol, and it is classified under HS code 2901.10.
What is hexane used for?
Mainly for solvent extraction of edible oils from soybean, rapeseed and other oilseeds. It is also used as a polymerisation diluent, in pharmaceutical extraction, in adhesives and in precision cleaning.
Do you supply hexane worldwide?
Yes. Chelora Chemicals supplies and exports food-grade and technical hexane worldwide — across Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas, as well as throughout India, in drums, IBCs, flexitanks, ISO tanks and bulk.
Is commercial hexane pure n-hexane?
Usually not. Commercial hexane is a narrow distillation cut containing 65 to 70% n-hexane with isohexanes and methylcyclopentane. Higher purity grades of 95% or more are available where the application requires them.
Why is benzene limited in food-grade hexane?
Because benzene boils close to hexane and can carry through into the extracted oil. It is a Category 1A carcinogen, so food-grade specifications limit it to around 10 ppm and it is tested on every lot.
Why is n-hexane more toxic than other alkanes?
Because it is metabolised to 2,5-hexanedione, which causes peripheral neuropathy on chronic exposure. Branched hexane isomers and heptane do not produce this metabolite, which is why they are used as substitutes.
How is hexane manufactured?
By hydrotreating light straight-run naphtha and distilling a narrow cut around 65 to 70 °C, with benzene removed by hydrogenation or extraction. High-purity grades require superfractionation or adsorption.
Is hexane hazardous?
Yes. It is a highly flammable liquid with a very low autoignition temperature of about 225 °C, it accumulates static readily, and it causes peripheral neuropathy on chronic exposure. All three need active management.
What are the UN number and transport class?
UN 1208, hexanes, Class 3 flammable liquid, packing group II. ADR, IMDG, IATA and DOT rules apply to packaging, labelling and routing.
What can replace hexane in extraction?
Isohexane and heptane have better toxicological profiles and are used in adhesives and cleaning. In edible oil extraction the substitution has been slow because the economics and extraction efficiency are difficult to replicate.
How should hexane be stored?
In cool, well-ventilated, earthed and bunded flammable-liquid storage away from ignition sources and hot surfaces, with bonding during transfer, controlled fill rates and low-level vapour monitoring.
What packing sizes are available?
200 L drums, 1000 L IBCs, flexitanks, ISO tank containers and bulk parcels. Orders run from a pallet of drums up to repeat bulk cargoes on contract supply.
Ready to source n-Hexane?
Send us your specification, grade and annual volume. You will get a price, a realistic lead time and a sample COA from someone who understands what the material has to do in your process — delivered anywhere in the world.