Eicosane

Eicosane
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
Icosane
Other names
n-Eicosane, Eichosane
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
1700722
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.003.653
EC Number
  • 204-018-1
MeSH eicosane
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C20H42/c1-3-5-7-9-11-13-15-17-19-20-18-16-14-12-10-8-6-4-2/h3-20H2,1-2H3 Y
    Key: CBFCDTFDPHXCNY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y
  • CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC
Properties
C20H42
Molar mass 282.556 g·mol−1
Appearance Colorless, waxy crystals
Odor Odorless
Melting point 36 to 38 °C; 97 to 100 °F; 309 to 311 K
Boiling point 343.1 °C; 649.5 °F; 616.2 K
log P 10.897
31 μmol Pa−1 kg−1
Thermochemistry
602.5 J K−1 mol−1 (at 6.0 °C)
558.6 J K−1 mol−1
Hazards
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
0
1
0
Flash point > 113 °C (235 °F; 386 K)
Related compounds
Related alkanes
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
N verify (what is YN ?)
Infobox references

Eicosane (alternative spellings icosane and eichosane) is an alkane with the chemical formula C20H42. It has 366,319 constitutional isomers.

n-Eicosane (the straight-chain structural isomer of eicosane) is the shortest compound found in paraffin waxes, used to form candles. It can be isolated from agave attenuate leaves. It is also found in Vanilla madagascariensis and Gymnodinium nagasakiense.

Eicosane's size, state and chemical inactivity do not exclude it from the traits of its smaller alkane counterparts. It is a colorless or white, non-polar molecule, nearly unreactive except when it burns. It is less dense than and insoluble in water. Its non-polar trait means it can only perform weak intermolecular bonding (hydrophobic/van der Waals forces).

Eicosane's phase transition at a moderate temperature makes it a candidate phase change material, or PCM, which can be used to store thermal energy and control temperature.

It can be detected in the body odor of persons suffering from Parkinson's disease.