hexane

American  

[hek-seyn] / ˈhɛk seɪn /

noun

1. any of five isomeric hydrocarbons having the formula C 6 H 14 , of the alkane series, some of which are obtained from petroleum: used as solvents and chemical intermediates and in fuels.

---

hexane British  

/ ˈhɛkseɪn /

noun

1. a liquid alkane existing in five isomeric forms that are found in petroleum and used as solvents, esp the isomer with a straight chain of carbon atoms ( n- hexane). Formula: C 6 H 14

---

hexane Scientific  

/ hĕk′sān′ /

1. A colorless flammable liquid derived from the fractional distillation of petroleum. It is used as a solvent and in low-temperature thermometers. Hexane is the sixth member of the alkane series. Chemical formula: C ₆ H ₁₄ .

---

Etymology

Origin of hexane

First recorded in 1875–80; hex- ( def. ) + -ane

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hexane

Sampling by Northern Ireland Water found that Moy Park had breached legal limits relating to a number of potential pollutants, including ammonia and hexane extractable materials including oils, fats and grease.

From BBC ● Jun. 4, 2024

Another criticism is that seed oil manufacturers use heat and solvents, such as hexane, to extract oil from seeds, creating unhealthy transfats and chemical contaminants.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 6, 2023

Railroads also ship hexane, a chemical solvent that crushers use to extract oil from soybeans, said Mike Steenhoek, executive director of Soy Transportation Coalition.

From Reuters ● Sep. 13, 2022

The label on a bottle of hexane warns the chemical “may be fatal if swallowed and enters airways” and “may cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure.”

From Washington Post ● Apr. 19, 2021

But we have more complex hydrocarbons such as C6H14, known as hexane.

From Creative Chemistry Descriptive of Recent Achievements in the Chemical Industries by Slosson, Edwin E.