n-Pentane

n-Pentane is a chain-like hydrocarbon from the alkane group with the chemical formula C₅H₁₂. It is the unbranched representative of the Pentane isomers.

Physical Parameter

n-Pentane is almost insoluble in water, but shows very good solubility or unlimited miscibility with many organic solvents such as paraffins, ethers, esters, aromatics or chlorinated hydrocarbons.

Application

Like all alkanes (paraffins, saturated hydrocarbons), n-Pentane is a very good solvent for non-polar substances. Very pure, aromatics-free n-Pentane is used in the pharmaceutical industry for the purification of APIs (active pharmaceutical ingredients).

Due to increasingly strict regulations aimed at protecting the ozone layer and stopping global warming, n-Pentane is an ideal substitute for chlorinated and fluorinated hydrocarbons for foaming polystyrene or polyurethane. Especially in combination with iso-Pentane it is used for the production of Polystyrene (PS). 

The most widely produced plastic in the world is Polyethylene (PE). Modern plants polymerise ethylene in the gas phase. This must be cooled after the reaction so that the dust-fine plastic beads become solid and do not stick to the equipment. Liquid n-Pentane is injected into the gas stream. It evaporates and thus cools the reaction. The n-Pentane can then be condensed and reused. 

Instead of ammonia or fluorinated hydrocarbons, n-Pentane can be used as a refrigerant in air conditioning or refrigeration systems.

• Very non-polar solvent
• Blowing agent for Polystyrene foam and Polyurethane foam
• Packaging and insulating material
• Process medium for polyethylene, especially LLDPE
• Refrigerant R601

Synonyms: n-Pentane, Linear Pentane, Pentane, Skellysolve, Refrigerant-4-13-0