n-Hexane
The non-polar aliphatic hydrocarbon solvent supplied by Chelora Chemicals — the standard extraction solvent for vegetable-oil processing and a solvent for adhesives, rubber and printing applications — exported from Indonesia in drums and ISO tanks with full batch documentation on every shipment.
What n-Hexane is, and why buyers source it
A working overview of the compound's chemistry, its role as a non-polar aliphatic hydrocarbon, and the grade Chelora Chemicals keeps in regular supply.
n-Hexane is a straight-chain, six-carbon saturated hydrocarbon with no functional groups, making it chemically inert under normal conditions and an excellent non-polar solvent for oils, fats, waxes and non-polar resins. That same chemical inertness means its downstream uses are almost entirely physical — dissolving and extracting — rather than reactive.
At room temperature it is a colourless, highly flammable, volatile liquid with a mild gasoline-like odour, immiscible with water and fully miscible with other hydrocarbons and most non-polar organic solvents. It requires standard flammable-liquid storage with good ventilation and ignition-source control, and food-grade extraction use requires strict residual-solvent limits in the finished oil or meal.
Where it fits in the synthesis chain
n-Hexane's largest use by far is as the extraction solvent for vegetable oil (soybean, canola, sunflower and others), where it is used to dissolve oil out of crushed seed meal and is then recovered and recycled by distillation. It is also used as a solvent in adhesive formulation, rubber cement, printing and specialty cleaning applications, and as a laboratory solvent for non-polar chromatography and analytical work.
Grade we supply
Chelora Chemicals offers n-Hexane in food-extraction and technical grade (99%+ assay) suitable for vegetable-oil extraction, adhesive and rubber-cement applications, supplied with a batch-wise certificate of analysis.
How n-Hexane is made
An overview of the production route for orientation purposes. Our manufacturing partners' own process parameters and in-process controls are proprietary and are not disclosed beyond what is needed to interpret the certificate of analysis.
n-Hexane is recovered from the naphtha fraction of crude-oil distillation, isolated from the mixed paraffin stream by fractional distillation and, for food-extraction grade, further purified to remove aromatics (particularly benzene) and other trace impurities to meet the strict purity limits required for vegetable-oil-extraction use.
Why fractional distillation, not a chemical reaction, defines n-hexane purity
Because n-hexane already exists as a component of petroleum naphtha, producing it is a separation and purification operation rather than a synthesis reaction, which is why specification focuses on distillation range, aromatic content and purity rather than on yield from a chemical transformation.
Industries and processes that use it
n-Hexane is consumed across vegetable-oil extraction, adhesive and rubber-cement manufacture, where its non-polar solvency and clean recovery by distillation are the main draw. The fields below account for most of the demand we see through our export desk.
Vegetable Oil Extraction
The standard solvent for extracting oil from crushed soybean, canola, sunflower and other oilseed meal, recovered and recycled by distillation after extraction.
Adhesives & Rubber Cement
Used as a solvent in contact adhesives and rubber cement formulation, valued for its clean evaporation and lack of residue.
Printing & Specialty Cleaning
Used as a solvent in some printing and specialty industrial cleaning applications where a non-polar, low-residue solvent is needed.
Laboratory & Analytical Solvent
Used as a non-polar solvent for chromatography, extraction and other analytical laboratory work.
How the molecule is typically carried forward
Because n-hexane has no reactive functional groups, its role is almost entirely as a physical solvent rather than a chemical reactant. The processes below account for most of how n-Hexane is used and recovered in industrial applications.
Physical Dissolution (Extraction)
Dissolves oils, fats and non-polar resins out of a solid matrix (such as crushed oilseed) without reacting chemically with the material being extracted.
Distillation Recovery
Recovered from the oil/solvent mixture by distillation, exploiting its low boiling point relative to the extracted oil, and recycled back into the extraction process.
Radical Chlorination (Specialty)
Can undergo free-radical halogenation under specialty conditions to make chlorinated solvents, a minor use relative to its extraction role.
Fractional Distillation (Upstream)
Separated from the naphtha hydrocarbon stream by fractional distillation to recover n-hexane itself as the finished product.
n-Hexane against other amines we supply
Buyers sourcing n-Hexane for extraction, adhesive or rubber-cement applications often need a related industrial solvent. A quick reference to what else is on our regular supply list.
| Product | CAS Number | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| n-Hexane | 110-54-3 | Non-polar aliphatic extraction solvent | The product on this page — the standard vegetable-oil extraction solvent. |
| Ethyl Acetate | 141-78-6 | Fast-evaporating ester solvent | A related fast-evaporating solvent used in extraction and coatings — see its product page. |
| Methyl Ethyl Ketone | 78-93-3 | Fast-drying ketone solvent | Another widely used industrial solvent in our range — see its product page. |
| Naphtha | 8030-30-6 | Light distillate cracker feedstock | The petroleum stream n-hexane is isolated from — see its product page. |
Exact physical constants and purity specifications are confirmed per batch on the certificate of analysis — treat the notes above as a sourcing guide, not a specification sheet, for products other than n-Hexane.
Safety classification at a glance
Based on GHS classification as commonly listed for this substance. This is a summary for orientation only — always work from the current safety data sheet supplied with your specific batch.
Highly flammable liquid and vapour.
Suspected of damaging fertility.
May cause drowsiness or dizziness.
May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways.
Chemical-resistant gloves, splash goggles and adequate ventilation or respiratory protection are mandatory for routine handling.
Keep away from heat, sparks and open flame; ground and bond containers during transfer given the very low flash point.
Prolonged or repeated inhalation exposure has been associated with peripheral nerve effects; ensure good ventilation.
Danger — GHS02 flammable, GHS08 reproductive/chronic-hazard and GHS07 irritant pictograms apply.
This compound is a highly flammable liquid that is suspected of damaging fertility, may cause drowsiness or dizziness, and may be fatal if swallowed and enters the airways. Prolonged or repeated inhalation exposure has also been associated with peripheral nerve effects. It must be handled only with chemical-resistant gloves, splash-proof eye protection, and adequate ventilation or respiratory protection, by trained personnel following the precautions in the MSDS supplied with each shipment, which must be read in full and followed without exception before this material is handled.
Keeping it on spec between delivery and use
General storage guidance for this grade. Site-specific storage rules, segregation requirements and re-test intervals should follow your own EHS procedures and the MSDS issued with your batch.
Store in a cool, well-ventilated area below 30 °C, away from heat sources, sparks, open flame and strong oxidizing agents, in tightly closed original packaging given its high volatility and flammability. Good ventilation is essential given the potential for chronic effects from prolonged inhalation exposure. If a batch is held past its retest date, re-check assay and aromatic content before use.
How it ships from Indonesia
Standard packing and export terms for this product. Confirm exact figures against your order — they vary slightly by destination and quantity.
What travels with every batch
Specification is agreed before the purchase order, not discovered on arrival. Every shipment of n-Hexane leaves with a documented, checkable paper trail.
Certificate of Analysis
Batch-wise assay (by titration/GC), colour and relevant physical constants, issued against the agreed specification so your QC team can check it, not just file it.
Safety Data Sheet
GHS-format SDS in English covering hazard classification, handling, storage, first-aid and spill response for the exact grade of n-Hexane shipped.
Technical Data Sheet
Reference physical and chemical properties, recommended storage and typical applications, for internal circulation to your process or R&D teams.
Certificate of Origin
Confirms Indonesian origin for customs clearance and any preferential-duty claim at your destination port.
Dangerous Goods Declaration
UN packing group, classification and shipper's declaration prepared ahead of loading so documentation never holds up customs.
Third-Party Inspection
Independent pre-shipment inspection and re-sampling can be arranged on request, at your cost, for buyers who require it as a matter of policy.
Frequently asked questions
What buyers most often ask our sales desk about this grade.
01What is n-Hexane used for?+
02What is the CAS number of n-Hexane?+
03How is n-Hexane produced?+
04What grade does Chelora Chemicals supply?+
05Why is n-Hexane the standard vegetable-oil extraction solvent?+
06Is n-Hexane hazardous?+
07What packing options are available?+
08How long does delivery take?+
09Can I get a sample before placing a bulk order?+
10Do you supply Ethyl Acetate and Methyl Ethyl Ketone as well?+
Need n-Hexane on spec, on time?
Send us your required purity, quantity, packing preference and destination port. Our desk quotes most enquiries within one working day.