Indan

Synonym(s):Hydrindene

CAS NO.：496-11-7
Empirical Formula: C9H10
Molecular Weight: 118.18
MDL number: MFCD00003795
EINECS: 207-814-7
SAFETY DATA SHEET (SDS)
Update Date: 2026-06-23 16:59:16

What is Indan?

Chemical properties

Indane is a colourless to faintly yellow liquid. Insoluble in water, soluble in alcohol, ether and other organic solvents in any proportion.

The Uses of Indan

Indane, is used as a catalytic agent, Petrochemical additive, used in organic synthesis. It is also used as pharmaceutical and chemical intermediate.

Definition

ChEBI: Indane is an ortho-fused bicyclic hydrocarbon consisting of a benzene ring fused to a cyclopentane ring; a high-boiling (176°C) colourless liquid. It is a member of indanes and an ortho-fused bicyclic hydrocarbon.

What are the applications of Application

Indane is used as anti-vibration agent for aviation fuel and anti-vibration agent for rubber industry. Its derivatives can be used in pharmaceuticals and solvents. Indane can be cracked to produce benzene compounds.

Preparation

Taking heavy benzene with a Indan content of 35% as a raw material, rectifying it through an emulsification tower, and cutting the 182°C fraction from the top of the tower, that is, Indan with a content of more than 90%.?

Synthesis Reference(s)

Journal of the American Chemical Society, 111, p. 314, 1989 DOI: 10.1021/ja00183a048
The Journal of Organic Chemistry, 41, p. 1184, 1976 DOI: 10.1021/jo00869a022

Hazard

Irritant to skin and eyes.

Synthesis

3-phenyl-1-propene is isomerized to give indane in the presence of AlCl3:
Synthesis_496-11-7

Source

Detected in distilled water-soluble fractions of 87 octane gasoline (0.40 mg/L), 94 octane gasoline (0.23 mg/L), Gasohol (0.50 mg/L), No. 2 fuel oil (0.05 mg/L), jet fuel A (0.15 mg/L), and diesel fuel (0.06 mg/L) (Potter, 1996). Based on laboratory analysis of 7 coal tar samples, indan concentrations ranged from ND to 3,800 ppm (EPRI, 1970).

Environmental Fate

Photolytic. Gas-phase reaction rate constants for OH radicals, NO3 radicals, and ozone at 24 °C were 1.9 x 10^-11, 6.6 x 10^-15, and <3 x 10^-19 cm³/molecule?sec, respectively (Kwok et al., 1997).

Purification Methods

Shake indane with conc H2SO4, then water, dry and fractionally distil it. [Beilstein 5 H 486, 5 I 234, 5 II 376, 5 III 1200, 5 IV 1371.]

Properties of Indan

Melting point:	-51 °C (lit.)
Boiling point:	176 °C (lit.)
Density	0.965 g/mL at 25 °C (lit.)
vapor pressure	1.5 at 25 °C (extrapolated, Ambrose and Sprake, 1975)
refractive index	n20/D 1.537(lit.)
Flash point:	50 °C
storage temp.	Sealed in dry,Room Temperature
solubility	Soluble in alcohol, ether (Weast, 1986), and many aliphatic hydrocarbons (hexane, pentane), and aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene)
form	Liquid
pka	>14 (Schwarzenbach et al., 1993)
color	Clear colorless to yellow
Odor Threshold	0.0037ppm
Water Solubility	Soluble in ethanol, diethyl ether, chloroform (slightly), and ether. Insoluble in water.
Merck	14,4931
BRN	1904376
Henry's Law Constant	(x 10^-3 atm?m³/mol): 2.14 at 25 °C (approximate - calculated from water solubility and vapor pressure)
Stability:	Stable. Flammable. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents.
CAS DataBase Reference	496-11-7(CAS DataBase Reference)
EPA Substance Registry System	Indan (496-11-7)

Safety information for Indan

Signal word	Danger
Pictogram(s)	Flame Flammables GHS02 Health Hazard GHS08
GHS Hazard Statements	H226:Flammable liquids H304:Aspiration hazard
Precautionary Statement Codes	P210:Keep away from heat/sparks/open flames/hot surfaces. — No smoking.