HEXANES
Prepared at the 51st JECFA (1998), published in FNP 52 Add 6 (1998) superseding specifications prepared at the 14th JECFA (1970), published
in NMRS 48B (1971) and in FNP 52 (1992). ADI "limited by GMP" established at the 14th JECFA in 1970.
DEFINITION The product "hexanes" refers to the hexane petroleum hydrocarbon distillation fraction that contains a high proportion of n-hexane. Typically hexanes contain mainly n-hexane, 2-methylpentane, 3-methylpentane or mixtures of these with smaller amounts of n-pentane, isopentane,
cyclohexane, n-heptane, dimethylbutanes and methylcyclopentane.
Chemical names Hexanes
Chemical formula C6H14
Formula weight 86.18
DESCRIPTION Clear colourless highly flammable liquid with a characteristic petroleum-like odour; free from sediment and suspended matter
FUNCTIONAL USES Extraction solvent
