Boiling Point of n-Hexane: Analysis of an Important Parameter in the Chemical Industry
Hexane (n-Hexane) is a common organic compound used in the chemical, pharmaceutical, paint and solvent industries. Its boiling point is a very important physical parameter that directly affects its application and handling in industrial processes. In this article, we will analyse in detail the knowledge of n-hexane boiling point, including its definition, influencing factors and practical applications.
The basic physical properties of n-hexane
Hexane is a colourless and transparent liquid with the chemical formula C6H14, which belongs to alkanes. Its molecule consists of six carbon atoms and fourteen hydrogen atoms. Due to the symmetry of the molecular structure of hexane, it is a non-polar molecule with low polarity, which results in poor intermiscibility with polar substances such as water, and is more suitable for interaction with other non-polar solvents.
The boiling point of hexane is a very important physical property and is defined as the temperature at which hexane in the liquid state is converted to the gaseous state at standard atmospheric pressure (1 atm, 101.3 kPa). According to experimental data, the boiling point of n-hexane is 68.7 °C.
Factors affecting the boiling point of hexane
Molecular structure
The molecule of hexane is a straight-chain alkane with carbon atoms arranged in a linear structure. This structure results in weak van der Waals forces between the molecules and therefore n-hexane has a relatively low boiling point. In contrast, alkanes with a similar molecular mass but a complex structure, such as cyclohexane, have stronger intermolecular forces and a higher boiling point.

Effect of atmospheric pressure
The boiling point of n-hexane is generally based on conditions at standard atmospheric pressure. If the atmospheric pressure in the outside environment changes, the actual boiling point of hexane will also change. At lower pressures, such as in vacuum distillation, the boiling point of hexane is significantly lower, making it more volatile.

Influence of purity and mixture
The purity of hexane directly affects its boiling point. When hexane contains impurities or forms mixtures with other compounds, the boiling point may change. For example, if hexane is mixed with other liquids in a chemical process, its boiling point may be lowered (formation of azeotropes), which can alter its evaporation behaviour.

Importance of Hexane Boiling Point in Industrial Applications
Solvent Applications
Hexane is widely used as a solvent, particularly in the grease extraction, adhesive manufacturing and paint industries. In these applications, the boiling point of hexane determines its evaporation rate. Due to its low boiling point, hexane is able to evaporate quickly, reducing solvent residues and thus ensuring product quality.

Distillation and separation processes
In petrochemical and refining processes, hexane is commonly used in the fractionation of crude oil. Due to its low boiling point, the evaporation and condensation behaviour of hexane in distillation columns can help to separate it from other alkanes or solvents. Getting the boiling point of n-hexane right is critical to controlling the temperature and pressure conditions of the distillation process to ensure efficient separation.

Environmental and Safety Considerations
Because hexane has a low boiling point, it tends to volatilise at room temperature, which raises the issue of emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). During operation, ventilation should be enhanced and appropriate protective measures should be used to prevent vapour build-up of hexane to avoid potential health and safety hazards.

To summarise
The physical parameter of boiling point of hexane has important practical applications in the chemical industry. Analysing a number of factors such as molecular structure, atmospheric pressure and purity, it can be seen that the boiling point not only affects the volatility of n-hexane and the distillation process, but also determines its operational safety in a variety of industrial environments. Whether used as a solvent or as a raw material for separation, a proper understanding and application of the boiling point of hexane is essential to improve productivity and ensure safety.