Hydrocarbon mixtures explained

Hydrocarbon mixtures are a group of various volatile, highly flammable, mixtures used chiefly as nonpolar solvents.

Composition

Hydrocarbon mixtures are composed of petroleum ethers and other hydrocarbons.[1] Petroleum ether should not be confused with the class of organic compounds called ethers; and equally, going under its alternative name of benzine, it should not be confused with benzene. (Benzine is a mixture of alkanes, such as pentane, hexane, and heptane; whereas benzene is a cyclic, aromatic hydrocarbon.)

A hydrocarbon is any chemical compound that consists only of the elements carbon (C) and hydrogen (H). They all contain a carbon frame, and have hydrogen atoms attached to the frame. Often the term is used as a shortened form of the term aliphatic hydrocarbon. Most hydrocarbons are combustible.[2]

Petroleum ether is obtained from petroleum refineries as the portion of the distillate which is intermediate between the lighter naphtha and the heavier kerosene. It has a specific gravity of between 0.6 and 0.8 depending on its composition.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Das, Surajit . Microbial Biodegradation and Bioremediation . Dash . Hirak Ranjan . . 2021 . 978-0-323-85455-9 . 2nd . 33-53 . en . Chapter 2 - Mechanism of toxicity and adverse health effects of environmental pollutants . 10.1016/C2020-0-01871-2 . https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780323854559000242.
  2. Book: Ball, David W. . Introductory Chemistry . Key . Jessie A. . . 978-1-77420-003-2 . 1st . 2014-09-16 . Chapter 16. Organic Chemistry . https://opentextbc.ca/introductorychemistry/chapter/hydrocarbons/.
  3. Book: Ashraf, S. M. . A Laboratory Manual of Polymers . Ahmad . Sharif . Riaz . Ufana . I.K. International Publishing House. 2008 . 9788190746236 . 65 . en.