Hexadecane

Other Classes -> Aliphatics, Saturated (>C11)

n-Alkane

0.77331 at 68 °F (NTP, 1992) - Less dense than water; will float

0.7701 g/cu cm at 25 °C

0.77335 @25 °C

Colorless liquid

Leaflets from acetone

In water, 2.1X10-5 mg/L at 25 °C

Solubility sea water: 0.00004 mg/L at 25 °C

Insoluble in water; slightly soluble in ethanol; soluble/miscible in ether, carbon tetrachloride

9e-07 mg/mL at 25 °C

275 °F (NTP, 1992)

Flash point equals 275 °F

>212 °F (>100 °C)

135 °C (275 °F) - closed cup

549 °F at 760 mmHg (NTP, 1992)

boiling point equals 549 °F

286.9 °C

286.00 to 287.00 °C. @ 760.00 mm Hg

286.5 °C @760 [mm Hg]

This chemical does not meet GHS hazard criteria for 0.1% (2 of 1815) of reports.

Danger

H304 (96.9%): May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways [Danger Aspiration hazard]

P301+P316, P331, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)

Aggregated GHS information provided per 1815 reports by companies from 13 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory.

Warning

Chemical: Hexadecane

Hexadecane is listed on the EPA's Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) system. Manufacturers and importers of Hexadecane are required to report information about their production and use of this chemical to the EPA under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). (40 eCFR Part 711)

Status: Active Update: 17-11-2022 https://echa.europa.eu/registration-dossier/-/registered-dossier/12643

Hexadecane: Does not have an individual approval but may be used under an appropriate group standard

Saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as N-HEXADECANE, may be incompatible with strong oxidizing agents like nitric acid. Charring of the hydrocarbon may occur followed by ignition of unreacted hydrocarbon and other nearby combustibles. In other settings, aliphatic saturated hydrocarbons are mostly unreactive. They are not affected by aqueous solutions of acids, alkalis, most oxidizing agents, and most reducing agents. When heated sufficiently or when ignited in the presence of air, oxygen or strong oxidizing agents, they burn exothermically to produce carbon dioxide and water.

1 - Materials that, under emergency conditions, can cause significant irritation.

1 - Materials that must be preheated before ignition can occur. Materials require considerable preheating, under all ambient temperature conditions, before ignition and combustion can occur.

0 - Materials that in themselves are normally stable, even under fire conditions.

EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.

Suitable extinguishing media: Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide.

Advice for firefighters: Wear self contained breathing apparatus for fire fighting if necessary.

ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES: Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures: Use personal protective equipment. Avoid breathing vapors, mist or gas. Ensure adequate ventilation. Evacuate personnel to safe areas.; Environmental precautions: Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so. Do not let product enter drains.; Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up: Soak up with inert absorbent material and dispose of as hazardous waste. Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal.

SMALL SPILLS AND LEAKAGE: If you should spill this chemical, use absorbent paper to pick up all liquid spill material. Your contaminated clothing and absorbent paper should be sealed in a vapor-tight plastic bag for eventual disposal. Solvent wash all contaminated surfaces with acetone followed by washing with a strong soap and water solution. Do not reenter the contaminated area until the Safety Officer (or other responsible person) has verified that the area has been properly cleaned.

SRP: Recycle any unused portion of the material for its approved use or return it to the manufacturer or supplier. Ultimate disposal of the chemical must consider: the material's impact on air quality; potential migration in air, soil or water; effects on animal, aquatic and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations. If it is possible or reasonable use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational harm/injury/toxicity or environmental contamination.

Product: Offer surplus and non-recyclable solutions to a licensed disposal company. Contaminated packaging: Dispose of as unused product.

Precautions for safe handling: Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Avoid inhalation of vapor or mist.

Appropriate engineering controls: Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice. Wash hands before breaks and at the end of workday.

Gloves must be inspected prior to use. Use proper glove removal technique (without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product. Dispose of contaminated gloves after use in accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices. Wash and dry hands.

SRP: The scientific literature for the use of contact lenses by industrial workers is inconsistent. The benefits or detrimental effects of wearing contact lenses depend not only upon the substance, but also on factors including the form of the substance, characteristics and duration of the exposure, the uses of other eye protection equipment, and the hygiene of the lenses. However, there may be individual substances whose irritating or corrosive properties are such that the wearing of contact lenses would be harmful to the eye. In those specific cases, contact lenses should not be worn. In any event, the usual eye protection equipment should be worn even when contact lenses are in place.

43 [mg/m3]

470 [mg/m3]

2800 [mg/m3]

RECOMMENDED RESPIRATOR: Where the neat test chemical is weighed and diluted, wear a NIOSH-approved half face respirator equipped with an organic vapor/acid gas cartridge (specific for organic vapors, HCl, acid gas and SO2) with a dust/mist filter.

Eye/face protection: Face shield and safety glasses. Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU).

Skin protection: Handle with gloves.

Body Protection: Complete suit protecting against chemicals. The type of protective equipment must be selected according to the concentration and amount of the dangerous substance at the specific workplace.

Respiratory protection: Where risk assessment shows air-purifying respirators are appropriate use a full-face respirator with multipurpose combination (US) or type ABEK (EN 14387) respirator cartridges as a backup to engineering controls. If the respirator is the sole means of protection, use a full-face supplied air respirator. Use respirators and components tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or CEN (EU).

Hexadecane in combination with 2-butanone or cyclohexane potentiates local anesthetics.

... The present study is an ongoing approach to assess the dose-related percutaneous absorption of a number of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons. The first treatment (1X) was comprised of mixtures containing undecane (4.1%), dodecane (4.7%), tridecane (4.4%), tetradecane (3%), pentadecane (1.6%), naphthalene (1.1%), and dimethyl naphthalene (1.3% of jet fuels) in hexadecane solvent using porcine skin flow through diffusion cell. Other treatments (n = 4 cells) were 2X and 5X concentrations. Perfusate samples were analyzed with gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID) using head space solid phase micro-extraction fiber technique. We have standardized the assay to have a good linear correlation for all the tested components in media standards. Absorption parameters including diffusivity, permeability, steady state flux, and percent dose absorbed were estimated for all the tested hydrocarbons. This approach provides a baseline to access component interactions among themselves and with the diluent (solvents). A quantitative structure permeability relationship (QSPR) model was derived to predict the permeability of unknown jet fuel hydrocarbons in this solvent system by using their physicochemical parameters. Our findings suggested a dose related increase in absorption for naphthalene and dimethyl naphthalene (DMN).

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 53,000(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that hexadecane is expected to be immobile in soil(SRC). Volatilization of hexadecane from moist soil surfaces is expected to be an important fate process(SRC) given an estimated Henry's Law constant of 21 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), derived from its vapor pressure, 0.00149 mm Hg(3), and water solubility, 2.1X10-5 mg/L(4). However, adsorption to soil is expected to attenuate volatilization(SRC). Hexadecane is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon its vapor pressure(SRC). Using OECD Guideline 306 (Biodegradability in seawater; closed bottle test), hexadecane reached 74-85% of its theoretical BOD in 28 days in two separate tests which classified the compound as readily biodegradable(5). In a soil degradation study at 20 °C, hexadecane (at 13 ppm) degraded below detection limits within 5 days(6). A soil microcosm study using Rangeland silt loam soil determined hexdecane Theoretical Oxygen Demand values of 26.8-27.2% over a 75 hour period(7).

AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 53,000(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that hexadecane is expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment(SRC). Volatilization from water surfaces is expected(3) based upon an estimated Henry's Law constant of 21 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), derived from its vapor pressure, 0.00149 mm Hg(4), and water solubility, 2.1X10-5 mg/L(5). Using this Henry's Law constant and an estimation method(3), volatilization half-lives for a model river and model lake are 4 hours and 6 days, respectively(SRC). However, volatilization from water surfaces is expected to be attenuated by adsorption to suspended solids and sediment in the water column(SRC). The estimated volatilization half-life from a model pond is approximately 24 months if adsorption is considered(6). According to a classification scheme(7), an estimated BCF of 870(SRC), from an estimated log Kow of 8.20(2) and a regression-derived equation(2), suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is high(SRC). Using OECD Guideline 306 (Biodegradability in seawater; closed bottle test), hexadecane reached 74-85% of its theoretical BOD in 28 days in two separate tests which classified the compound as readily biodegradable(8). The biodegradation half-lives of hexadecane in a river water and a harbor water were 18 days and 30 days respectively(9). Using inocula from a rainwater deletion pond, the hexadecane component of a biodiesel fuel had a primary aerobic half-life of 2.5 days(10). Hexadecane is not expected to undergo hydrolysis in the environment due to the lack of functional groups that hydrolyze under environmental conditions(3).

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), hexadecane, which has a vapor pressure of 0.00149 mm Hg at 25 °C(2), is expected to exist solely as a vapor in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase hexadecane is degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals(SRC); the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be 17 hours(SRC), calculated from its rate constant of 2.32X10-11 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(3). Hexadecane has been detected in rainwater(4,5) indicating hexadecane may be removed from the air by wet deposition(SRC). Based upon data for similar alkanes(6), hexadecane does not absorb at wavelengths >290 nm and, therefore, is not expected to be susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight(SRC).

Trace amounts of hexadecane have been detected in volatile components oftree-ripened nectarines(1,2). Hexadecane occurs in volatile components of chickpeas (Cicer arietinum L)(3), in volatiles from mutton, chicken, beef and pork(4). Hexadecane was identified as a volatile component of frankfurters(5). Hexadecane was detected in an Australian honey at a level of 0.1-0.5 mg/kg(6). Samples of fresh frozen and pre-cooked frozen mussels (Perna canaliculus) collected from the Canary Islands in 1992-1993 contained hexadecane (C16) levels ranging from not detected to 114.379 ug/g dry wt(7).

IDENTIFICATION AND USE: Hexadecane is a colorless liquid. It is used as a solvent, organic intermediate, ignition standard for diesel fuels. It is also used for the production of detergents. HUMAN EXPOSURE AND TOXICITY: Acute exposure to hexadecane causes irritation, CNS depression, and gastrointestinal tract irritation. ANIMAL STUDIES: Several biochemical parameters including ornithine decarboxylase activity (ODC) and tissue polyamine levels were measured during the hexadecane-induced epidermal hyperplasia of hairless rat skin. Animals received three applications of 200 uL pure n-hexadecane on day 1. ODC activity and polyamine levels (putrescine, spermidine and spermine) in the epidermis were significantly increased and reached maximum elevations at 12 hr after the start of n-hexadecane treatment with DNA synthesis peaking at 24 hr. Histological studies confirmed a significant cellular edema at 24 hr after the beginning of the treatment followed at 48 hr by an epidermal hyperplasia which was maximum at 72 hr. In vivo in weanling pigs it produced erythema, which was completely resolved after 24 hr of the patch removal. Hexadecane, when aspirated into the lungs, is an asphyxiant. ECOTOXICITY STUDIES: Exposure of mussel larvae (Mytilus edulis) to 10 ppm and 50 ppm hexadecane caused a slight reduction of growth rate; an increase in growth rate was observed at 100 ppm.

Hexadecane occurs in volatile components of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L)(1) and in volatile components of tree-ripened nectarines(2). It occurs as a volatile component of kiwi fruit flowers(3) and as a biogenic component of sea plankton(4).

Hexadecane was detected in Sewdish Ivy shoots (Plectranthus coleoides; Lamiaceae) at a concentration of 0-24 ppm. The compound also occurs in the following plants(1):[Table#6366]

The mean concentration range of hexadecane in walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) blubber from six locations of the Pacific Ocean was none detected-0.3 ug/g (wet wt.)(1). The concentration of hexadecane in tissue samples collected from 12 wolves /Canis lupus signatus/ of Northern Spain was determined to be 4.92, 8.17 and 35.07 mg/kg lipid weight in suprarenal capsules, muscle, and spleens, respectively(2).

EPA has released the first beta version (version 0.5) of the Interactive Chemical Safety for Sustainability (iCSS) Dashboard. The beta version of the iCSS Dashboard provides an interactive tool to explore rapid, automated (or in vitro high-throughput) chemical screening data generated by the Toxicity Forecaster (ToxCast) project and the federal Toxicity Testing in the 21st century (Tox21) collaboration. /The title compound was tested by ToxCast and/or Tox21 assays; Click on the "Chemical Explorer" button on the tool bar to see the data./[USEPA; ICSS Dashboard Application; Available from, as of October 14, 2015: http://actor.epa.gov/dashboard/]

Hexadecane was detected in effluents from a nylon plant(1), paper mill(1,2) and petroleum refining(1,3-5). The concentration of n-hexadecane in a combined paper mill effluent from Norway was 3.5 ug/L(6). Hexadecane was also detected in effluent from Los Angeles County wastewater treatment plant at a concentration 10 ug/L(7). The emission rate of hexadecane from motor vehicles in a Los Angeles roadway tunnel in 1993 was 2015.0 ug/L(8). Hexadecane was detected in emissions from a municipal waster incineration plant at a concentration of 0.50 ug/cu m(9). Hexadecane was detected in exhaust emissions from heavy-duty diesel vehicles(10). The hexadecane emission factor from a diesel-powered medium duty truck was 711/km and the hexadecane content of the diesel fuel was 5700 ug/g(11). The hexadecane emission factor from the tailpipe of gasoline-powered California vehicles was reported as 6.6 ug/km for a catalyst-equipped vehicle and 92 ug/km for a non-catalyst-equipped vehicle for a gasoline containing 8.3 ug/g hexadecane(12).

Using a structure estimation method based on molecular connectivity indices(1), the Koc of hexadecane can be estimated to be 53,000(SRC). According to a classification scheme(2), this estimated Koc value suggests that hexadecane is expected to be immobile in soil(SRC). From the experimental value of Freundlich adsorption constants and organic carbon contents in three Canadian soils (Wendover 16.2% OC; Vaudreil 10.0% OC; Grimsby 1.0% OC)(3), Koc values can be estimated to be in the range of approximately 50-400(SRC). The experimental data of other investigators suggest that less than 20% of hexadecane from solution is adsorbed in soil, sludge and sediment(4-6). However, in all the adsorption experiments(3-6), the concentration of hexadecane solution used for the adsorption study far exceeded the aqueous solubility of hexadecane making the results questionable(SRC).

JP-8 jet fuel has been reported to cause systemic and dermal toxicities in animal models and humans. There is a great potential for human exposure to JP-8. In this study, we determined percutaneous absorption and dermal toxicity of three components of JP-8 (i.e., xylene, heptane, and hexadecane) in vivo in weanling pigs. In vivo percutaneous absorption results suggest a greater absorption of hexadecane (0.43%) than xylene (0.17%) or heptane (0.14%) of the applied dose after 30 min exposure.

Hexadecane has been identified in two human atherosclerotic aortas at concentrations of 40 and 60 ng/g.

... Pigs were exposed to JP-8 jet fuel-soaked cotton fabrics for 1 and 4 d with repeated daily exposures. Preexposed and unexposed skin was then dermatomed and placed in flow-through in vitro diffusion cells. Five cells with exposed skin and four cells with unexposed skin were dosed with a mixture of 14 different hydrocarbons (HC) consisting of nonane, decane, undecane, dodecane, tridecane, tetradecane, pentadecane, hexadecane, ethyl benzene, o-xylene, trimethyl benzene (TMB), cyclohexyl benzene (CHB), naphthalene, and dimethyl naphthalene (DMN) in water + ethanol (50:50) as diluent. Another five cells containing only JP-8-exposed skin were dosed solely with diluent in order to determine the skin retention of jet fuel HC. The absorption parameters of flux, diffusivity, and permeability were calculated for the studied HC. The data indicated that there was a two-fold and four-fold increase in absorption of specific aromatic HC like ethyl benzene, o-xylene, and TMB through 1- and 4-d JP-8 preexposed skin, respectively. Similarly, dodecane and tridecane were absorbed more in 4-d than 1-d JP-8 preexposed skin experiments. The absorption of naphthalene and DMN was 1.5 times greater than the controls in both 1- and 4-d preexposures. CHB, naphthalene, and DMN had significant persistent skin retention in 4-d preexposures as compared to 1-d exposures that might leave skin capable of further absorption several days postexposure. The possible mechanism of an increase in HC absorption in fuel preexposed skin may be via lipid extraction from the stratum corneum as indicated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. This study suggests that the preexposure of skin to jet fuel enhances the subsequent in vitro percutaneous absorption of HC, so single-dose absorption data for jet fuel HC from naive skin may not be optimal to predict the toxic potential for repeated exposures. For certain compounds, persistent absorption may occur days after the initial exposure.

Rat tissue:air and blood:air partition coefficients (PCs) for octane, nonane, decane, undecane, and dodecane (n-C8 to n-C12 n-alkanes) were determined by vial equilibration. The blood:air PC values for n-C8 to n-C12 were 3.1, 5.8, 8.1, 20.4, and 24.6, respectively. The lipid solubility of n-alkanes increases with carbon length, suggesting that lipid solubility is an important determinant in describing n-alkane blood:air PC values. The muscle:blood, liver: blood, brain:blood, and fat:blood PC values were octane (1.0, 1.9, 1.4, and 247), nonane (0.8, 1.9, 3.8, and 274), decane (0.9, 2.0, 4.8, and 328), undecane (0.7, 1.5, 1.7, and 529), and dodecane (1.2, 1.9, 19.8, and 671), respectively. The tissue:blood PC values were greatest in fat and the least in muscle. The brain:air PC value for undecane was inconsistent with other n-alkane values. Using the measured partition coefficient values of these n-alkanes, linear regression was used to predict tissue (except brain) and blood:air partition coefficient values for larger n-alkanes, tridecane, tetradecane, pentadecane, hexadecane, and heptadecane (n-C13 to n-C17). Good agreement between measured and predicted tissue:air and blood:air partition coefficient values for n-C8 to n-Cl2 offer confidence in the partition coefficient predictions for longer chain n-alkanes.

1-(14)C n-hexadecane, a model compound for the non-volatile aliphatic hydrocarbon components of crude oil, was administered by intrapericardial injection to the spiny lobster, panulirus argus, and the clawed or American lobster, homarus americanus. Experiments were conducted in Florida (spiny lobster) and Maine (American lobster). The animals were sacrificed at various times from 0.5 hr to 8 weeks after administration of the dose. The tissues and fluids were analyzed for (14)C content by digestion or catalytic oxidation and liquid scintillation counting. Selected tissues(hepatopancreas, tail muscle and hemolymph) were extracted with ethyl acetate to allow quantitation of the unmetabolized n-hexadecane by thin layer chromatography. n-Hexadecane-derived radioactivity was very persistent in both the spiny lobster (half-life = 4.6 wk) and the American lobster (half-life = 11.2 wk). In both lobsters, the hepatopancreas acquired the highest specific activity and the tail muscle had the longest half life for elimination from an individual tissue. Although hexadecane was metabolized more rapidly in the hepatopancreas of the spiny lobster than in the hepatopancreas of the American lobster, unmetabolized hexadecane persisted in the hepatopancreases of both species for at least 8 weeks after the dose (the longest time studied).

Used as a solvent and organic intermediate; [HSDB]

Solvent, organic intermediate, ignition standard for diesel fuels.

Hexadecane is a component of gasoline, and is used ... as stock for hydrocracking processes.

2023: 7,343,352 lb

Non-confidential 2012 Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) information on the production and use of chemicals manufactured or imported into the United States. Chemical: Hexadecane. National Production Volume: Withheld.

By far the largest amount of saturated hydrocarbons is obtained from the natural sources natural gas and petroleum, either by isolation, e.g., fractional distillation, or by suitable conversion reactions. Additional sources include various products derived from coal processing or biomass conversion reactions, e.g., Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. Saturated hydrocarbons that are unavailable from natural sources or for laboratory purposes are produced by special synthesis or by conversion processes. /Saturated hydrocarbons/

Soap, Cleaning Compound, and Toilet Preparation Manufacturing

Hexadecane: ACTIVE

Cetane number: A rating for diesel fuel comparable to the octane-number rating for gasoline. It is the percentage of cetane (C16H34) that must be mixed with heptamethylnonane to give the same ignition performance under standard conditions as the fuel in question.