pentane

American  

[pen-teyn] / ˈpɛn teɪn /

noun

Chemistry, Pharmacology.

1. a hydrocarbon of the methane series, existing in three liquid isomeric forms.

2. Also called normal pentane.  the most important isomer of pentane, a colorless, flammable, water-insoluble, very volatile liquid, C 5 H 1 2 , obtained from petroleum by distillation: used chiefly as a solvent and in medicine as an anesthetic.

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pentane British  

/ ˈpɛnteɪn /

noun

1. an alkane hydrocarbon having three isomers, esp the isomer with a straight chain of carbon atoms ( n -pentane) which is a colourless flammable liquid used as a solvent. Formula: C 5 H 12

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pentane Scientific  

/ pĕn′tān′ /

1. A colorless, flammable hydrocarbon derived from petroleum and used as a solvent. Pentane occurs in three isomers and is the fifth member of the alkane series. Chemical formula: C ₅ H ₁₂ .

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Etymology

Origin of pentane

1875–80; pent- ( def. ) + -ane

Example Sentences

If the hydroxyl group was not present, we would have named this molecule pentane.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

The base of the name will be pentane.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

Plant workers this week removed the 50,000 gallons of pentane stored at the site as a precaution.

From Washington Times • May 12, 2018

Hawaii Gov. David Ige says a geothermal energy plant near the lava outbreak would remove its storage of a flammable gas called pentane by the end of the day Thursday.

From Washington Times • May 10, 2018

From Chapter VI. it will be evident that a little more than 2 per cent. of benzene, pentane or benzoline vapour in air forms an explosive mixture.

From Acetylene, the Principles of Its Generation and Use A Practical Handbook on the Production, Purification, and Subsequent Treatment of Acetylene for the Development of Light, Heat, and Power by Leeds, F. H. (Frank Henley)