“Hexane” is a family, not one product. n-Hexane (CAS 110-54-3) is the straight-chain isomer, and it is the only one NIOSH associates with peripheral neuropathy — its REL is 50 ppm against an OSHA PEL of 500 ppm. Mixed hexanes are the branched isomers, with a NIOSH REL of 100 ppm and no OSHA PEL. Cyclohexane (CAS 110-82-7) is a ring compound with its own 300 ppm limit.

What are the three products sold as "hexane"?

Order "hexane" from three suppliers and you can receive three different materials. All share the formula C₆H₁₄ except cyclohexane, and all look and smell alike, but their exposure limits and health effects diverge sharply.

• n-Hexane — the single straight-chain isomer, CAS 110-54-3. Sold at 95% or higher purity for extraction and analytical work. This is the regulated one.
• Mixed hexanes (hexane isomers) — a blend that NIOSH defines as all isomers of hexane except n-hexane: 2-methylpentane, 3-methylpentane, 2,2-dimethylbutane, 2,3-dimethylbutane, and related branched structures. Commercial "hexanes" typically still contain some n-hexane, which is why the blend assay matters.
• Cyclohexane — C₆H₁₂, CAS 110-82-7, a six-carbon ring rather than a chain. It is a different chemical entirely, freezes at 44 °F, and is used mainly as a nylon feedstock and a resin solvent.

How do n-hexane, mixed hexanes, and cyclohexane compare?

All values below come from the NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards and PubChem.

Property	n-Hexane	Mixed hexanes (isomers)	Cyclohexane
CAS Number	110-54-3	Blend — no single CAS	110-82-7
Formula	C6H14	C6H14	C6H12
Molecular weight	86.2 g/mol	86.2 g/mol	84.2 g/mol
Boiling point	68.7 °C (156 °F)	50–63 °C (122–145 °F)	80.7 °C (177 °F)
Freezing point	−95 °C (−139 °F)	−154 to −100 °C (−245 to −148 °F)	6.5 °C (44 °F)
Specific gravity	0.66	0.65–0.66	0.78
Weight per US gallon	5.50 lb/gal	~5.45 lb/gal	6.49 lb/gal
Flash point	−22 °C (−7 °F)	−48 to −7 °C (−54 to 19 °F)	−18 °C (0 °F)
Vapor pressure at 20 °C	124 mmHg	Not established	78 mmHg
Flammability class	Class IB	Class IB	Class IB
LEL / UEL	1.1% / 7.5%	Not established	1.3% / 8%
Water solubility	0.002%	Insoluble	Insoluble
OSHA PEL (TWA)	500 ppm (1800 mg/m3)	None established	300 ppm (1050 mg/m3)
NIOSH REL (TWA)	50 ppm (180 mg/m3)	100 ppm (350 mg/m3); C 510 ppm	300 ppm (1050 mg/m3)
IDLH	1100 ppm	Not determined	1300 ppm
DOT ID / Guide	UN1208 / Guide 128	UN1208 / Guide 128	UN1145 / Guide 128

To convert these densities into drum, tote, or tank-truck weights for a specific fill, use the RightPath chemical density and volume calculators.

Why does the n-hexane distinction matter?

Because the health effects are not the same. NIOSH lists the symptoms of n-hexane exposure as eye and nose irritation; nausea and headache; peripheral neuropathy, including numb extremities and muscle weakness; dermatitis; dizziness; and chemical pneumonitis on aspiration. The NIOSH entry for hexane isomers lists eye, skin, and respiratory irritation; headache; dizziness; nausea; chemical pneumonitis; and dermatitis — with no peripheral neuropathy.

That difference is why NIOSH sets the n-hexane REL at 50 ppm, ten times lower than the OSHA PEL of 500 ppm, and why many EHS programs specify low-n-hexane blends or substitute mixed hexanes wherever the process allows. If your industrial hygiene program is written around "hexane," confirm which material is actually in the tank — the exposure limit you are monitoring against depends on it.

Section 3 of the Safety Data Sheet gives the concentration range of n-hexane in a mixed-hexane product. See how to read a Safety Data Sheet for the full section breakdown.

Which hexane grade should you specify?

Application	Typical specification	Why
Edible oil and oilseed extraction	n-Hexane 95% or extraction-grade hexanes	Narrow boiling range and consistent solvent recovery
HPLC and GC mobile phases	n-Hexane, HPLC grade	Low UV absorbance and low non-volatile residue
Pharmaceutical crystallization	n-Hexane, high purity	Defined single-isomer behavior and reproducible solubility
Adhesives, inks, and cleaning	Mixed hexanes	Lower n-hexane content reduces neurotoxicity exposure risk
Degreasing and general solvent duty	Mixed hexanes	Cheaper, and single-isomer performance is not required
Nylon 6 and nylon 6,6 feedstock	Cyclohexane	Oxidized to adipic acid and caprolactam
Resin, wax, and rubber solvency	Cyclohexane	Higher boiling point and stronger solvency than chain hexanes

For deeper background on the chemical itself, see the Hexane properties, uses, and bulk supply guide. For what analytical grade designations actually mean, see ACS vs HPLC vs USP grade solvents.

How should hexane be stored and shipped?

All three are Class IB flammable liquids: flash point below 73 °F and boiling point at or above 100 °F. n-Hexane flashes at −7 °F and cyclohexane at 0 °F, so both require flammable-liquid storage, bonding and grounding during transfer, and ignition-source control. All three are incompatible with strong oxidizers.

Chain hexanes ship under UN1208 with ERG Guide 128; cyclohexane ships under UN1145, also Guide 128. Confirm the packing group and proper shipping name against Section 14 of the product SDS before generating a bill of lading. For the general framework, see DOT hazmat classes for solvents.

Cyclohexane has one storage quirk the chain hexanes do not: it freezes at 44 °F. Drums and totes stored in an unheated warehouse through winter can solidify and need to be re-liquefied before transfer.

What hexane grades and sizes does RightPath stock?

RightPath Industries is a Pittsburgh-headquartered bulk chemical distributor carrying over 8,000 chemicals, including all three hexane products.

Product	Typical grades	Packaging
Hexane, n- 95%	Technical, extraction, high purity	5-gal pails, 55-gal drums, IBC totes, tank truck
Hexanes (mixed isomers)	Technical, ACS, HPLC	4L cases, 5-gal pails, 55-gal drums, tank truck
Cyclohexane	Technical, ACS, HPLC	55-gal drums, IBC totes, tank truck, railcar

The full aliphatic and aromatic solvent range is listed on the bulk solvent supplier page. To pick a container size against your draw rate, see Drum vs IBC Tote vs Bulk.

How do you order hexane from RightPath?

1. State which material you need — n-hexane 95%, mixed hexanes, or cyclohexane — and the grade (technical, ACS, or HPLC).
2. If n-hexane content is controlled by your EHS program, say so, and we will quote against the assay range you need.
3. Give the monthly or annual volume and delivery point so freight is priced into the quote, not added afterward.
4. Request bulk pricing for an all-in landed-cost quote, typically same day.
5. Pull the current sheet from the SDS library and request the lot COA before first shipment.

Frequently asked questions

Is hexane the same as n-hexane?

No. n-Hexane is one specific isomer, CAS 110-54-3. Commercial "hexane" or "hexanes" is usually a blend of C₆H₁₄ isomers that still contains some n-hexane. Because the exposure limits differ — a NIOSH REL of 50 ppm for n-hexane versus 100 ppm for the isomer blend — the two are not interchangeable on a specification sheet.

Which hexane is the toxic one?

n-Hexane. NIOSH lists peripheral neuropathy, including numb extremities and muscle weakness, among its exposure symptoms. The entry for hexane isomers does not list peripheral neuropathy. All hexanes cause irritation, dizziness, and dermatitis, and all present chemical pneumonitis risk if aspirated.

What is the OSHA exposure limit for hexane?

The OSHA PEL for n-hexane is 500 ppm (1800 mg/m³) as an 8-hour TWA. NIOSH recommends 50 ppm (180 mg/m³). OSHA has no PEL for the other hexane isomers; NIOSH recommends 100 ppm TWA with a 510 ppm 15-minute ceiling. Cyclohexane has an OSHA PEL and NIOSH REL of 300 ppm.

Is cyclohexane a type of hexane?

No. Cyclohexane is C₆H₁₂, a saturated six-carbon ring, while the hexanes are C₆H₁₄ open chains. Cyclohexane boils higher (80.7 °C versus 68.7 °C), is denser (0.78 versus 0.66), and freezes at 44 °F. It ships under a different UN number, UN1145.

How much does a gallon of hexane weigh?

About 5.5 pounds per US gallon for n-hexane, based on a specific gravity of 0.66. Cyclohexane weighs about 6.49 pounds per gallon at a specific gravity of 0.78. Hexane is one of the lightest common industrial solvents, which matters when you are comparing a price quoted per pound against one quoted per gallon.

Can I substitute mixed hexanes for n-hexane?

Often yes for degreasing, adhesives, and general solvent duty, and it usually lowers both cost and neurotoxicity exposure risk. Not for HPLC mobile phases, pharmaceutical crystallization, or any validated process where the boiling range and single-isomer solubility behavior are part of the specification.

Authoritative sources

• NIOSH Pocket Guide — n-Hexane
• NIOSH Pocket Guide — Hexane isomers
• NIOSH Pocket Guide — Cyclohexane
• PubChem CID 8058 — n-Hexane
• PubChem CID 8078 — Cyclohexane

Need a quote? Request bulk pricing from RightPath Industries for n-hexane, mixed hexanes, or cyclohexane in drums, totes, tank truck, or railcar.

Hexane is a colorless, highly volatile, and flammable liquid hydrocarbon that quietly powers some of the largest manufacturing and food-processing industries in the world. From extracting cooking oil out of soybeans to formulating fast-drying adhesives and cleaning electronic components, n-hexane and hexane blends are the workhorse non-polar solvents of modern industry. For buyers sourcing hexane in bulk, understanding its grades, properties, and handling requirements is essential.

What Is Hexane?

Hexane is a six-carbon alkane (C₆H₁₄) — a straight-chain, saturated hydrocarbon belonging to the same family as propane, butane, and pentane. There are several structural isomers of hexane, but the most commercially important is n-hexane, the straight-chain isomer. “Commercial hexane” typically refers to a fraction distilled from crude oil or natural gas condensate containing primarily n-hexane along with smaller amounts of methylcyclopentane, 3-methylpentane, and other C₆ hydrocarbons.

Hexane’s combination of low boiling point, non-polar character, and chemical inertness makes it ideal as an extraction and reaction solvent — you can dissolve oils, waxes, and resins in it, then evaporate it cleanly to recover the target product.

Key Physical and Chemical Properties of Hexane

• Chemical formula: C₆H₁₄
• Molecular weight: 86.18 g/mol
• Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid
• Odor: Mild, gasoline-like
• Boiling point (n-hexane): 68.7 °C (155.7 °F)
• Melting point: -95 °C (-139 °F)
• Density: 0.659 g/cm³ at 20 °C
• Flash point: -22 °C (-7.6 °F) — extremely flammable
• Autoignition temperature: 225 °C (437 °F)
• Vapor pressure: 17.6 kPa at 20 °C
• Solubility in water: Practically insoluble (~9.5 mg/L)
• Dipole moment: ~0 D (non-polar)

Hexane is lighter than water and floats. Its vapors are heavier than air and can travel along the ground to ignition sources, which is why static control, grounding, and ventilation are non-negotiable when handling it.

Major Industrial Uses of Hexane

1. Vegetable Oil and Botanical Extraction

By volume, the single largest use of hexane worldwide is the extraction of edible oils from oilseeds — soybeans, canola, sunflower, cottonseed, peanut, and corn germ. Hexane selectively dissolves the oil from crushed seeds; the solution is then heated to evaporate the hexane, leaving behind crude vegetable oil. The recovered hexane is condensed and reused. Hexane is also used to extract botanical oils, flavors, and active ingredients in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical manufacturing.

2. Adhesives, Sealants, and Coatings

Hexane is a primary solvent in fast-drying contact cements, rubber cements, leatherworking adhesives, footwear adhesives, and many spray formulations. Its low boiling point lets adhesives tack quickly without long drying times.

3. Industrial and Electronic Cleaning

Hexane removes greases, oils, waxes, and tars from metal parts, circuit boards, and tooling. It evaporates cleanly without residue, making it useful in precision cleaning operations and as a degreaser in manufacturing lines.

4. Laboratory Solvent and Reaction Medium

In chemistry labs, hexane is the non-polar solvent of choice for column chromatography, recrystallization, and as a reaction medium where water-sensitive chemistry must run in a strictly non-polar environment. HPLC-grade and reagent-grade hexane are specified for analytical work.

5. Polymerization and Polyolefin Production

Hexane is used as a reaction medium and diluent in the manufacture of polyethylene and polypropylene, particularly in slurry-phase polymerization processes.

Hexane Grades and Specifications

• Commercial / Technical Hexane — typically 50–80% n-hexane with other C₆ isomers; the workhorse grade for oil extraction and adhesives.
• Food Grade (Extraction Solvent) Hexane — meets FDA 21 CFR 173.270 specifications for use in vegetable oil extraction, with controlled benzene and aromatic content.
• n-Hexane 95%+ — higher-purity grade used where consistent solvent behavior is required.
• HPLC Grade / Spectroscopic Grade — >99% n-hexane with very low UV absorbance and residue, for chromatography and instrumental analysis.
• ACS Reagent Grade — meets American Chemical Society purity specifications for laboratory use.

Specifying the correct grade matters. Food-grade hexane in adhesives is a waste of money; commercial hexane in HPLC will destroy your column and your data.

Health, Safety, and Regulatory Notes

Hexane is more than just flammable — chronic inhalation exposure is a documented neurotoxin. The metabolite 2,5-hexanedione damages peripheral nerves, causing the classic “hexane neuropathy” — numbness, weakness, and motor deficits in the hands and feet that develop after months of exposure. Acute inhalation can cause dizziness, headache, nausea, and CNS depression.

• OSHA PEL: 500 ppm (8-hour TWA) — currently under review, with NIOSH recommending 50 ppm.
• ACGIH TLV: 50 ppm (8-hour TWA).
• Flammability: Class IB flammable liquid (NFPA). Extremely flammable; vapors form explosive mixtures with air.
• Hazard pictograms: GHS02 (flammable), GHS07 (irritant), GHS08 (health hazard), GHS09 (aquatic toxicity).

Storage and Handling

• Store in tightly closed, properly labeled containers in a cool, well-ventilated, fire-rated area away from oxidizers and ignition sources.
• Ground and bond all transfer equipment — hexane readily accumulates static electricity during transfer.
• Use local exhaust ventilation; install vapor monitors and explosion-proof electrical equipment in storage and dispensing areas.
• Provide chemical-resistant gloves (Viton, nitrile for short contact), splash goggles, and respiratory protection where vapors may exceed exposure limits.
• Use dry chemical, CO₂, alcohol-resistant foam, or water spray for fire suppression. Straight water streams will spread a hexane fire.
• Hexane is a marine pollutant and DOT Hazard Class 3 (Flammable Liquid), UN1208 — ship and store per hazmat regulations.

Buying Hexane in Bulk

RightPath Industries supplies hexane in drums, totes, and tanker quantities, with documentation, COAs, and grade-specific spec sheets included. When evaluating a hexane supplier, confirm the following before placing an order:

• Exact grade and isomer breakdown (n-hexane content, aromatic content, benzene level).
• Certificate of Analysis tied to each lot.
• Packaging options (drum, IDC tote, tanker) and lead time.
• DOT/IMDG hazmat shipping documentation and emergency response support.
• Recovery/recycle program availability if your process generates spent hexane.

Key Takeaways

• Hexane (C₆H₁₄) is a non-polar, highly flammable C₆ hydrocarbon — the workhorse extraction and cleaning solvent for vegetable oil, adhesives, electronics cleaning, and lab work.
• Commercial vs. food-grade vs. HPLC-grade hexane differ significantly in purity and price; match the grade to your application.
• Hexane is acutely flammable and chronically neurotoxic. Treat exposure limits, ventilation, and grounding as non-negotiable.
• Bulk hexane ships as DOT Hazard Class 3 UN1208 and requires proper hazmat documentation and emergency response planning.
• Sourcing decisions should focus on grade specification, lot-level COAs, and recovery/recycle support — not just unit price.

RightPath Industries supplies bulk hexane and a broad range of industrial solvents, glycols, and specialty chemicals. Contact our team for quotes, specs, and lead times.