Hexanes

/ˈhɛkseɪnz/ noun

Definition

The plural form of hexane; multiple molecules of the six-carbon hydrocarbon or a commercial mixture of hexane isomers.

Etymology

Simple plural of hexane formed by adding '-s'. Commercial 'hexanes' refers to a mixture of different structural arrangements (isomers) of the C₆H₁₄ molecule.

Kelly Says

Commercial hexanes are actually a mixture of five different molecular arrangements that all have the same molecular formula—chemists found it cheaper and more practical to use the mixture than to purify individual isomers.

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