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N-heptane is common in chemical laboratories and industries because they can dissolve other compounds quickly. It is an alkane type of hydrocarbon and one of the linear soluble heptane isomers. Below are the types of n-heptane based on purity and usage.
Often found in the market at 90% to 95% purity. It is widely used to extract vegetable oils in laboratories or techs. It is also used to calibrate octane rating fuels in gasoline research. This is the preferred option because the purity is not critical for the intended application.
Available at more than 99% purity. It is commonly used in chemical processes, mainly for gas chromatography. In gasses, it is used to separate compounds and determine their concentration by passing them through or over a substance. This grade is also used in protein analysis and to check the purity of other chemicals.
This also has a purity of more than 99%. It is widely used as a reagent in chemistry for its non-polar dissolution properties. It is also used for extraction and separation in both analytical and organic chemistry. N-heptane main purpose in vegetable oil extraction is to dissolve triglycerides, which are then separated from other compounds.
The commercial value of n-heptane lies in its solvent properties and usefulness in research. Below are some of the common uses of n-heptane.
Most n-heptane is used in laboratories and industries to extract vegetable oil. It is ideal for this purpose because of its non-polar characteristics, which enable it to dissolve only triglycerides and not polar compounds like phospholipids. It is often mixed with other chemicals to increase extraction efficiency and yield.
n-heptane in gasoline is useful for octane rating calibration, which determines how smooth an engine burns fuel. Gasoline with high octane ratings tends to burn evenly. When added to gas, n-heptane helps separate and measure the fuel's research octane number (RON) and motor octane number (MON) enigmatic fuel characteristics.
In chromatography, n-heptane acts as a mobile phase solvent. It carries compounds along the stationary phase to separate them. It is also less expensive than other chromatographic solvents. Therefore, it is used a lot to separate and purify chemicals in organic synthesis and environmental analysis.
N-heptane is often used as a reagent in chemical synthesis processes. This is because it provides a non-reactive environment and dissolves organic compounds. Usually, it is mixed with other chemicals to synthesize organic compounds. This is especially popular in the pharmaceutical industry, where it is used to develop new drugs.
Neptane is ideal for assessing the solubility of organic compounds in oil. It is also commonly used as a reference substance to measure the partition coefficient of compounds between water and n-heptane. This coefficient is a measure of how n-heptane will interact with the compound and an indicator of activity. It also proves very helpful in drug discovery and development when early assessments of a compound's drug-like characteristics are necessary.
Choosing the right n-heptane for the class or extraction requirements depends on several factors. Below are some of the considerations to have in mind when buying n-heptane.
The intended usage will determine the purity of the n-heptane. For chromatography and chemical synthesis, high-purity n-heptane, usually 99% or more, is required to prevent impurities from affecting the results. However, for octane rating calibration or less sensitive extraction methods, lower-purity n-heptane is acceptable.
Ensure the n-heptane supplier complies with the recognized quality standards like ISO or GMP. If possible, go for n-heptane with a certificate of analysis (CoA) that verifies purity, concentration, and the presence of impurities. This ensures that the N-heptane will perform consistently in various applications.
There are mainly 2 grades of n-heptane. These are analytical and technical grades. The former is suitable for high-precision tasks like chromatographic separation. The latter is suitable for routine oil extraction and less sensitive tasks because it is less pure and more affordable. Ensure the grade purchased matches the task requirements.
Consider the packaging options available. N-heptane is commonly available in 1-liter bottles and larger containers like drums or cylinders. The choice will depend on the quantity needed and the storage facilities available. Ensure the packaging is resistant to chemical solvents to prevent reactions with the container.
Always go for known suppliers with a proven track record of delivering quality chemical products. Check reviews, testimonials, and businesses' previous experiences to measure consistency, customer service, and product quality. Ensure the supplier can handle bulk orders if large quantities are required without sacrificing quality.
N-heptane has variegated benefits due to its unique chemical properties and versatility. Below are the pros of N-heptane.
It effectively extracts triglycerides from plant materials during vegetable oil extraction. Its non-polar nature means it only dissolves target compounds and not unwanted substances like water or polar proteins. This results in purer oil extracts with fewer impurities. This makes it popular in laboratories and industries.
Research gasoline octane ratings because n-heptane is considered a standard. It is rated 0 on the octane scale because it burns too fast and smoothly feels no engine knock at all. Gasoline researchers combine N-heptane with iso-octane, which is rated 100, to create a range of octane fuels for experimental purposes.
In gas chromatography, analysts separate volatile organic compounds using mobile phase solvents. N-heptane's ability to dissolve non-polar compounds makes it ideal for this separation process. Its purity ensures it doesn't interfere with the analysis. This makes it a go-to-solvent in environmental and chemical analysis.
N-heptane is an organic compound commonly used in the lab and the industry for drug discovery and development. It is often used to create new and existing medications. Pharmaceutical companies use it to assess the partition coefficient and fuel for the synthesis of pharmaceuticals. This makes it useful in developing effective drug formulations.
N-heptane is the preferred solvent for purifying and isolating essential oils, fatty acids, and other lipid-based substances. Its non-polar nature enables it to selectively dissolve target compounds from plant material. This separates them from other impurities and polar substances. N-heptane's volatile nature also causes it to evaporate easily, leaving behind concentrated pure extracts.
A1: Yes. Though they are both linear alkanes, n-heptane has 7 carbon atoms, while n-octane has 8. This small difference affects their physical properties. N-octane has a higher boiling point and greater octane ratings than n-heptane because it is larger and more branched. It is also less volatile and dissolves more polar and organic compounds than n-heptane.
A2: Yes. N-heptane is non-polar and has 7 carbon atoms. Therefore, it can mix with gasoline to increase its octane ratings. Since it burns smoothly, it reduces engine knocking when mixed with other high-octane fuels. It is also easy to extract from petroleum refinery processes.
A3: N-heptane is moderately biodegradable. Therefore, it can have adverse effects on land and water ecosystems if released or spilled. It is toxic to aquatic life and may cause habitat disruption. Its flammability also poses a risk of wildfires. However, it is less toxic than other organic solvents like benzene and acetone.
A4: Although n-heptane and iso-octane are used to determine octane ratings, they exhibit distinct characteristics. N-heptane, a straight-chain alkane, possesses a value of 0. Contrarily, iso-octane, a branched-chain alkane, valued at 100 stands out for its smoother combustion. This combination of properties results in the octane mixture used as a standard.
A5: N-heptane is commonly extracted from petroleum fractions during the distillation of crude oil. It is separated and purified using techniques like fractional distillation or chromatography. In laboratories, it can be synthesized through several chemical processes, including the hydrogenation of alk-1-ene.
