| Physical Description |
N-pentane appears as a clear colorless liquid with a petroleum-like odor. Flash point 57 °F. Boiling point 97 °F. Less dense than water and insoluble in water. Hence floats on water. Vapors are heavier than air. |
| Color/Form |
Colorless liquid [Note: A gas above 97 degrees F. May be utilized as a fuel]. |
| Odor |
Pleasant |
| Boiling Point |
97 °F at 760 mmHg (NTP, 1992) |
| Melting Point |
-202 °F (NTP, 1992) |
| Flash Point |
-57 °F (NTP, 1992) |
| Solubility |
less than 1 mg/mL at 70 °F (NTP, 1992) |
| Density |
0.626 at 68 °F (USCG, 1999) - Less dense than water; will float |
| Vapor Density |
2.48 (NTP, 1992) - Heavier than air; will sink (Relative to Air) |
| Vapor Pressure |
400 mmHg at 65.3 °F ; 426 mmHg at 68 °F (NTP, 1992) |
| LogP |
log Kow = 3.39 |
| Henry's Law Constant |
Henry's Law constant = 1.25 atm-cu m/mole at 25 °C |
| Autoignition Temperature |
500 °F (USCG, 1999) |
| Decomposition |
When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes. |
| Viscosity |
0.2224 mPa.sec at 25 °C (liquid) |
| Corrosivity |
Will attack some forms of plastics, rubber, and coatings. |
| Heat of Combustion |
3272 kJ/mol (gas); 3245 kJ/mol (liquid) |
| Heat of Vaporization |
26.43 kJ/mol at 25 °C |
| Surface Tension |
16 dynes/cm = 0.016 N/m at 20 °C |
| Ionization Potential |
10.34 eV |
| Odor Threshold |
Odor Threshold Low: 119.0 [mmHg] Odor Threshold High: 1147.0 [mmHg] Odor threshold from AIHA |
| Refractive Index |
Index of refraction: 1.3575 at 20 °C/D |
| Relative Evaporation Rate |
28.6 (Butyl acetate = 1) |
| Kovats Retention Index |
500 |
| Other Experimental Properties |
Specific gravity: 0.64529 at 0 °C/4 °C; 0.62638 at 20 °C/4 °C; 0.6163 at 30 °C/4 °C |
| Chemical Classes |
Solvents -> Aliphatics, Saturated (<C12) |
