Solvent · nonpolar
n-Hexane C6H14
Also: hexane, hexanes
Primary nonpolar mobile phase for normal-phase HPLC, typically blended with a polar modifier (2-propanol, ethanol, ethyl acetate, or dichloromethane) to tune elution strength; standard weak solvent for normal-phase and chiral (polysaccharide-column) separations; sample diluent and extraction solvent for nonpolar analytes (lipids, oils, waxes, hydrocarbons); GC extraction/injection solvent for nonpolar matrices. Low UV cutoff permits low-wavelength UV detection in normal phase.
Compiled by Hemant RawatLast reviewed July 2026How we verify
Properties
- Formula
- C6H14
- CAS number
- 110-54-3
- UV cutoff
- 195 nm
- Snyder polarity index (P′)
- 0.1
- Selectivity group
- — (non-selective)
- Eluotropic strength ε° (silica)
- 0.01
- Boiling point
- 68.7 °C
- Viscosity (25 °C)
- 0.31 cP
- Refractive index (nD²⁰)
- 1.3749
- Density
- 0.659 g/mL
- Water miscibility
- immiscible
- USP <467> class
- Class 2
Safety
- highly flammable (H225, flash point approx -22 C)
- neurotoxic - peripheral neuropathy via metabolite 2,5-hexanedione (STOT RE 2, H373)
- reprotoxic (Repr. 2, H361f - suspected damage to fertility)
- aspiration hazard (H304)
- skin/respiratory irritant (H315, H336)
- aquatic toxicity (H411)
- NOT a known carcinogen
- NOT a significant peroxide-former
Reference only. Solvents can be flammable, toxic, or peroxide-forming. Always consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and your lab's protocols before handling.
What n-Hexane mixes with
Miscible with: 1-Propanol, 1,2-Dichloroethane, 1,4-Dioxane, 2-Propanol, Acetic acid, Acetone, Benzene, Carbon tetrachloride, Chloroform, Cyclohexane, Dichloromethane, Diethyl ether, Ethanol, Ethyl acetate, Iso-octane, Methyl ethyl ketone, Methyl isobutyl ketone, MTBE, n-Butanol, n-Butyl acetate, n-Heptane, n-Pentane, Pyridine, tert-Butanol, Tetrahydrofuran, Toluene, Triethylamine.
Partially miscible with: Methanol, N-Methylpyrrolidone, N,N-Dimethylacetamide, N,N-Dimethylformamide — mix only over a limited range.
Immiscible with: Acetonitrile, Dimethyl sulfoxide, Water — these form two layers.
Check any specific pair on the interactive miscibility chart.
Using n-Hexane in HPLC/GC
Primary nonpolar mobile phase for normal-phase HPLC, typically blended with a polar modifier (2-propanol, ethanol, ethyl acetate, or dichloromethane) to tune elution strength; standard weak solvent for normal-phase and chiral (polysaccharide-column) separations; sample diluent and extraction solvent for nonpolar analytes (lipids, oils, waxes, hydrocarbons); GC extraction/injection solvent for nonpolar matrices. Low UV cutoff permits low-wavelength UV detection in normal phase.
Its Snyder polarity index is 0.1, and its UV cutoff of 195 nm is low enough for most UV detection.See what the polarity index means and the full UV cutoff table.
Sources
- University of Toronto (TRACES) — Burdick & Jackson — Solvent UV cutoff table (absorbance = 1 AU, 1 cm cell)
- Stenutz / L. R. Snyder — Solvent polarity index (P′) and selectivity groups
- NIST — Chemistry WebBook — thermophysical properties (BP, density, refractive index)
- PubChem (NIH/NLM) — Compound property records (physical constants, CAS, formula)
- USP <467> / ICH Q3C — Residual Solvents — solvent classification (Class 1/2/3)
Values are compiled from public references and were last verified July 2026. See ourmethodologyfor how we source and verify. Always confirm critical values against primary references and the SDS.