any of five isomeric hydrocarbons having the formula C 6 H 14 , of the alkane series, some of which are obtained from petroleum: used as solvents and chemical intermediates and in fuels.
a liquid alkane existing in five isomeric forms that are found in petroleum and used as solvents, esp the isomer with a straight chain of carbon atoms (n-hexane). Formula: C6H14
Word Origin
C19: from hexa- + -ane
Word Origin and History for hexane
n.
paraffin hydrocarbon, 1872, from Greek hex "six" (see six) + chemical suffix -ane. So called for its six carbon atoms.
hexane in Medicine
hexane hex·ane (hěk'sān') n. A colorless, flammable liquid, derived from the distillation of petroleum and used as a solvent.
hexane in Science
hexane
(hěk'sān') A colorless flammable liquid derived from the fractional distillation of petroleum. It is used as a solvent and in low-temperature thermometers. Hexane is the sixth member of the alkane series. Chemical formula:C6H14.