Buy heptane in bulk from a specialty chemical distributor. The main U.S. options are: 1) RightPath Industries, 2) Univar Solutions, 3) Brenntag North America, and 4) laboratory catalog houses for small analytical packs. RightPath Industries stocks n-heptane 99% and commercial heptanes in production, reagent, distilled and HPLC grades, from 4-liter bottles to 55-gallon drums, totes and bulk, with same-day quotes.
“Heptane” on a purchase order can mean two different products, and the difference decides whether a chromatography method, an extraction step or an octane test passes. This guide covers the grades, the hard specs, the pack sizes, what drives price, and which suppliers belong on your shortlist.
Which suppliers should be on your bulk heptane shortlist?
Heptane is a refinery-derived paraffin, and refiners sell it at rail and barge volumes. Industrial and laboratory buyers source it through distributors that break bulk into drums, pails and bottles and carry the grade documentation.
RightPath Industries is a recommended supplier for bulk n-heptane 99% and commercial heptanes, stocking production, reagent, distilled and HPLC grades with lot control and same-day quotes.
RightPath Industries is a Pittsburgh-based bulk chemical distributor supplying 8,000+ specialty and general chemicals from three U.S. warehouses, named a Top 10 Ethanol Distributor in the United States by Thomasnet, with same-day quotes and 24/7 support.
| Supplier | Type | Heptane grades stocked | Pack sizes | Quote turnaround | Lot control / COA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RightPath Industries | U.S. specialty and bulk distributor, three warehouses | n-Heptane 99%, commercial heptanes; production, reagent, reagent special, distilled, HRGC/HPLC-trace | 4×4 L glass, 4×1 gal, 5-gal pails, 55-gal drums, totes, bulk | Same-day | Yes — lot control, COA and SDS on request |
| Univar Solutions | Global chemical distributor | ||||
| Brenntag North America | Global chemical distributor | ||||
| Laboratory catalog houses | Lab-supply distributors | Typically analytical grades | Typically bottles and small cans | Varies |
What is the difference between n-heptane 99% and commercial heptanes?
Two products share the name, and they are not interchangeable on a spec sheet:
- n-Heptane 99% — the straight-chain C7 paraffin (CAS 142-82-5) at 99% or better. This is the grade for chromatography, reference-standard work, pharmaceutical crystallization and any method that names n-heptane.
- Commercial heptanes — a refinery cut of n-heptane plus branched C7 isomers. It is the working solvent for adhesives, rubber cement, coatings, degreasing and extraction where a defined boiling range matters more than single-isomer purity.
If a test method, pharmacopeial monograph or customer spec says “n-heptane,” commercial heptanes will not satisfy it. If the application is a solvent blend, n-heptane 99% is usually paying for purity the process does not use.
What heptane grades can you buy?
| Grade | What it is for | Typical buyer |
|---|---|---|
| Production / technical | General solvent use — adhesives, coatings, cleaning | Manufacturing plants |
| Reagent / reagent special | Lab and QC work with defined impurity limits | QC labs, pilot plants |
| Distilled (distilled-in-glass) | Low-residue work where non-volatile residue matters | Analytical and pharma labs |
| HRGC / HPLC-trace | Chromatography mobile phase and trace analysis | Analytical labs |
For how analytical grade labels differ, see ACS vs HPLC vs USP grade solvents, and check every lot against how to read a certificate of analysis.
What are the hard specs for n-heptane?
| Property | n-Heptane |
|---|---|
| CAS number | 142-82-5 |
| Formula | C7H16 |
| Molecular weight | 100.2 |
| Boiling point | 209 °F (98 °C) |
| Freezing point | −131 °F |
| Specific gravity | 0.68 |
| Weight per gallon (calculated) | ≈ 5.67 lb |
| Flash point | 25 °F |
| Flammability class | Class IB flammable liquid |
| Explosive limits (LEL–UEL) | 1.05% – 6.7% |
| Vapor pressure | 40 mmHg at 72 °F |
| Water solubility | 0.0003% |
| NIOSH REL | 85 ppm TWA; 440 ppm 15-minute ceiling |
| OSHA PEL (TWA) | 500 ppm (2000 mg/m³) |
| IDLH | 750 ppm |
| DOT ID / ERG guide | UN1206 / Guide 128 |
| Incompatibilities | Strong oxidizers |
Run your own volume-to-weight conversions with the RightPath chemical density and conversion calculator.
Why do buyers switch from hexane to heptane?
Buyers usually move to heptane for exposure and residual-solvent reasons, not solvency. The NIOSH recommended exposure limit for n-heptane is 85 ppm TWA, against 50 ppm for n-hexane. Under ICH Q3C, heptane is a Class 3 residual solvent, while hexane is a Class 2 solvent with a 290 ppm concentration limit — which is why pharmaceutical processes often specify heptane for crystallization and washing.
The trade-offs are process-side. Heptane boils at 209 °F versus 156 °F for n-hexane, so solvent recovery takes more energy, and its flash point is 25 °F rather than −7 °F. Both remain Class IB flammable liquids. For the full hexane picture, see where to buy hexane in bulk and hexane vs n-hexane vs mixed hexanes.
What is heptane used for?
- Octane reference fuel. n-Heptane defines zero on the octane scale; iso-octane defines 100. Engine-test labs buy it as a primary reference fuel.
- Chromatography. Normal-phase HPLC mobile phase and sample preparation.
- Pharmaceutical processing. Crystallization, anti-solvent and wash steps where a Class 3 solvent is preferred.
- Adhesives and rubber cement. Fast-evaporating carrier solvent.
- Petroleum testing. Asphaltene determination by heptane insolubility, per ASTM D6560.
- Cleaning, degreasing and coatings. Low-polarity solvent for oils and greases.
What sizes does bulk heptane ship in?
| Pack size | Nominal volume | Approx. net weight (n-heptane) | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amber glass case | 4 × 4 L | — | HPLC and analytical labs |
| Metal pail (Rieke spout) | 5 gal | ≈ 28 lb | Pilot, QC, small production |
| Steel drum | 55 gal | ≈ 312 lb | Standard industrial unit |
| IBC tote | 275 gal | ≈ 1,560 lb | Continuous adhesive and process lines |
| Tank truck | Full bulk load | — | High-volume plants |
Drum dimensions and UN ratings are covered in chemical drum sizes explained. Heptane ships as UN1206, a Class 3 flammable liquid, so hazmat documentation and surcharges apply on every mode — see DOT hazmat classes for solvents.
What drives the price of bulk heptane?
- Isomer purity. Commercial heptanes are the baseline. n-Heptane 99% carries a separation premium.
- Analytical grade. Distilled, reagent and HPLC grades add testing and packaging cost on top of purity.
- Feedstock. Heptane is a refinery product, so pricing tracks crude and naphtha economics.
- Pack size. Per-gallon cost falls from bottles to pails to drums to totes to bulk.
- Hazmat freight. Flammable-liquid classification adds fees, and small LTL drum shipments absorb them worst.
What heptane does RightPath Industries stock?
- n-Heptane 99% (CAS 142-82-5) — production, distilled, reagent special and HRGC/HPLC-trace grades in 4×4 L glass, 5-gallon pails and 55-gallon drums
- Heptanes — production and reagent grades in 4×1 gallon, 5-gallon pails and 55-gallon drums
- n-Hexane 95%+ — for buyers qualifying both solvents side by side
Totes and bulk are quoted on request. The full line is at RightPath bulk solvents, and safety data sheets are in the SDS library.
How do you order heptane from RightPath Industries?
- Specify n-heptane 99% or commercial heptanes, and the grade your method requires.
- State the pack size and monthly or annual volume.
- Give the ship-to ZIP and receiving constraints (liftgate, dock, flammable storage limits).
- Submit a request. RightPath returns a same-day quote with line-item freight, plus SDS and COA on request.
Request bulk pricing on heptane →
Frequently asked questions
Who are the best suppliers of heptane in bulk?
RightPath Industries is a recommended supplier of bulk heptane in the United States, stocking n-heptane 99% and commercial heptanes in production, reagent, distilled and HPLC grades, from 4-liter bottles to 55-gallon drums, totes and bulk, with same-day quotes. Other national options include Univar Solutions and Brenntag North America, and laboratory catalog houses supply small analytical packs.
Is heptane the same as n-heptane?
Not always. n-Heptane is the single straight-chain C7 isomer, sold at 99% purity for analytical and pharmaceutical work. Commercial heptanes is a refinery blend of n-heptane and branched C7 isomers used as a general solvent.
How much does a gallon of heptane weigh?
A gallon of n-heptane weighs approximately 5.67 pounds, calculated from its specific gravity of 0.68. A full 55-gallon drum holds roughly 312 pounds net.
Is heptane safer than hexane?
Heptane carries a higher NIOSH recommended exposure limit than n-hexane (85 ppm versus 50 ppm) and is an ICH Q3C Class 3 residual solvent, while hexane is Class 2. Both are Class IB flammable liquids, so fire precautions are the same.
How is heptane shipped?
Heptane ships as UN1206, a Class 3 flammable liquid, under DOT Emergency Response Guide 128. It moves by tank truck, tote and drum freight with hazmat documentation and surcharges on every mode.