Material Safety Data Sheet: N-Hexane

Identification

Product Name: N-Hexane
Chemical Formula: C6H14
Synonyms: Hexane, normal hexane
CAS Number: 110-54-3
Recommended Use: Solvent for adhesives, extraction, and chemical synthesis, component in gasoline
Manufacturer: Chemical suppliers or producers, contact information provided on label
Emergency Contact: Refer to local, regional, or national poison control center or emergency response service

Hazard Identification

GHS Classification: Flammable Liquid (Category 2), Specific Target Organ Toxicity – Single Exposure (Category 3, Narcotic Effects), Specific Target Organ Toxicity – Repeated Exposure (Category 2), Aspiration Hazard (Category 1)
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Highly flammable liquid and vapor; May cause drowsiness or dizziness; May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure; May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways
Pictograms: Flame, Health Hazard, Exclamation Mark
Precautionary Statements: Keep away from heat, sparks, open flames; use non-sparking tools; avoid breathing vapors; use only outdoors or in well-ventilated areas

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: N-Hexane
Concentration: 95% or higher
Other Components: May include small amounts of other hexane isomers or hydrocarbons
Impurities: Methylcyclopentane, 2-methylpentane, 3-methylpentane, cyclohexane (trace)
Threshold Limit Value (TLV): 50 ppm recommended by ACGIH

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Remove to fresh air immediately, monitor breathing, administer oxygen if breathing is difficult, get medical attention promptly
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, rinse skin with soap and water for at least 15 minutes, seek medical advice if irritation develops
Eye Contact: Rinse continuously with water for at least 15 minutes, keep eyelids open, get prompt medical attention
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting, rinse mouth, seek immediate medical help, risk of aspiration into lungs
Most Important Symptoms: Fatigue, dizziness, headache, nausea, skin and eye irritation, central nervous system depression

Fire-Fighting Measures

Extinguishing Media: Use foam, carbon dioxide, dry chemical powder, do not use water jets
Special Hazards: Releases flammable vapors, forms explosive mixtures with air, combustion may produce toxic gases such as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide
Advice for Firefighters: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective gear, cool tanks and containers with water spray from safe distance
Explosion Data: Vapors can travel long distances to ignition sources, may flash back, sealed containers may explode if exposed to heat

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Evacuate area, eliminate all ignition sources, ventilate, wear protective equipment including gloves and goggles
Environmental Precautions: Prevent spillage from reaching drains, soil, or watercourses, alert environmental authorities if a large spill occurs
Clean-up Methods: Absorb with inert material such as sand or vermiculite, collect and store in closed, labeled containers for disposal, use explosion-proof equipment

Handling and Storage

Handling: Use in well-ventilated areas, avoid breathing vapors, keep away from heat and open flames, ground and bond containers, take precautions against static discharge
Storage: Store containers tightly closed and upright in cool, dry, well-ventilated places designated for flammable chemicals, segregate from incompatible substances such as oxidizers or acids, use approved safety cans and grounding wires
Incompatibilities: Strong oxidizing agents, acids, halogens

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limit: 50 ppm (ACGIH TLV), 500 ppm (OSHA PEL)
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation, explosion-proof electrical equipment, proper grounding
Personal Protective Equipment: Suitable chemical-resistant gloves, safety glasses with side shields or face shield, flame-retardant protective clothing, approved respirators for air concentrations above limits
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands after handling, keep contaminated clothing away from living areas, do not eat or drink in work areas

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid
Odor: Mild, gasoline-like
Odor Threshold: Around 130 ppm
Boiling Point: 68.7°C (156°F)
Melting Point: -95°C (-139°F)
Flash Point: -22°C (-7.6°F)
Evaporation Rate: 8.3 (butyl acetate = 1)
Lower Explosion Limit: 1.2% by volume in air
Upper Explosion Limit: 7.7% by volume in air
Vapor Pressure: 160 mmHg at 25°C
Vapor Density: 2.97 (air = 1)
Specific Gravity: 0.66 (water = 1)
Solubility in Water: Very low, 9.5 mg/L at 25°C
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): Log Kow 3.9
Autoignition Temperature: 234°C (453°F)
Decomposition Temperature: Not available

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions, reacts with strong oxidizers
Hazardous Reactions: Vapor/air mixtures can be explosive, reacts violently with oxidizers such as peroxides or chlorates
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, sparks, open flames, static discharge, contact with incompatible chemicals
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, possible toxic fumes

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: LD50 Oral (rat) 25,000 mg/kg; LC50 Inhalation (rat, 4h) 48,000 ppm
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, ingestion
Short-Term Effects: Central nervous system depression, headache, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, narcosis at high levels
Long-Term Effects: Prolonged exposure may cause irreversible peripheral neuropathy, reproductive toxicity, liver and kidney effects
Skin Irritation: Repeated contact may cause dermatitis due to degreasing action
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as a carcinogen by IARC, NTP, or OSHA
Mutagenicity: Evidence in some animal tests, not confirmed in humans
Reproductive Toxicity: Some evidence in animal studies, relevance to humans not fully established

Ecological Information

Toxicity to Aquatic Life: Harmful to aquatic organisms, acute EC50 (daphnia magna) 2.1 mg/L, LC50 (fish) 2.5 mg/L
Persistence and Degradability: Moderately persistent, partial biodegradation under aerobic conditions, slow in anaerobic environments
Bioaccumulative Potential: High, log Kow of 3.9 indicates potential for bioaccumulation in aquatic organisms
Mobility in Soil: Volatile, low water solubility, can leach to groundwater in sandy soils
Other Adverse Effects: Contributes to photochemical smog formation, not classified as ozone depleting

Disposal Considerations

Disposal Methods: Collect liquid or solid residues in airtight, labeled containers, hand over to licensed chemical waste collection service
Contaminated Packaging: Rinse containers before disposal, treat rinse water as hazardous waste, follow local, state, and national regulations
Environmental Cautions: Do not discharge to sewage system or environment, inform relevant authorities if significant spillage occurs

Transport Information

UN Number: UN1208
Proper Shipping Name: Hexanes
Transport Hazard Class: 3 (Flammable liquid)
Packing Group: II
Label: Flammable Liquid
Special Precautions: Keep containers tightly sealed, segregate from foodstuffs and incompatible materials, ensure vehicle is ventilated and grounded
International Transport: Follows IATA, IMDG, and ADR guidelines

Regulatory Information

US Federal: Listed on TSCA Inventory, subject to SARA Title III reporting, OSHA regulated as hazardous chemical
EU: Covered by REACH regulation, CLP classification as flammable liquid, requires safety data sheet and hazard labeling
Workplace: Workers exposed to N-Hexane must follow OSHA and ACGIH exposure limits, training required on safe handling and emergency procedures
Environmental: May be subject to Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act controls in the US, disposal and discharges regulated
Other Regions: Regulations apply based on country and use, consult local requirements for workplace and transport safety