Substance profile
Hexane
Hexane is a liquid with a gasoline-like odor.
01 · Identification
What Hexane is
Hexane is a liquid with a gasoline-like odor. It boils at 68.7 °C, melts at -95.3 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs).
02 · Identifiers
Hexane identifiers and molecular data
Hexane CAS number and EC number
Hexane molecular formula and molecular weight
Other names for Hexane
- n-hexane
- C6H14
- Dipropyl
- Gettysolve-B
- Hexane (N)
- Hexanes
- Hexyl Hydride
- Normal Hexane
- Normal-Hexane
- Skellysolve B
03 · GHS classification
Hexane hazard classification
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
Hexane pictograms and signal word
Hexane hazard class and category
| Hazard class | Category | From code | Pictogram |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flammable liquids GHS chapter 2.6 | Category 2 | H225 | GHS02 |
| Skin corrosion/irritation GHS chapter 3.2 | Category 2 | H315 | GHS07 |
| Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure GHS chapter 3.8 | Category 3 narcotic | H336 | GHS07 |
| Specific target organ toxicity - repeated exposure GHS chapter 3.9 | Category 1 | H372 | GHS08 |
| Aspiration hazard GHS chapter 3.10 | Category 1 | H304 | GHS08 |
| Hazardous to the aquatic environment - chronic GHS chapter 4.1 | Category 2 | H411 | GHS09 |
Hexane hazard statements (H-codes)
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H225 | Highly flammable liquid and vapour. |
| H361f | Suspected of damaging fertility. |
| H304 | May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways. |
| H336 | May cause drowsiness or dizziness. |
| H372 | Causes damage to organs <or state all organs affected, if known> through prolonged or repeated exposure <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H315 | Causes skin irritation. |
| H411 | Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. |
This page lists only the codes assigned to Hexane. The full reference lives on the hazard statements hub, the precautionary statements hub and the GHS pictograms hub.
Safety Data Sheet
Getting an SDS for Hexane
Our own Hexane safety data sheet walks through all sixteen sections of the published data. What it is not is the document an inspector asks for: an SDS is issued for a product by its supplier, so the sheet covering the grade actually standing in your store exists only in that supplier’s version. Collecting those and keeping them current as suppliers revise them is a separate job.
04 · Precautionary statements
Hexane precautionary statements
CLP Annex VI assigns 17 precautionary statements to Hexane. They are grouped the way a label groups them: what to do before handling, what to do when something has already happened, how to store it and how to dispose of it.
Prevention
What to do before and during handling so the hazard never happens.
Response
What to do once exposure, spillage or fire has already happened.
Disposal
What has to happen to the contents and the empty container.
Reading the notation. … is a blank the supplier fills in — not a truncated sentence.· [square brackets] mark a part printed only when it applies.
05 · Names in the regulation
Hexane name in 22 EU languages
CLP Annex VI Part 3 is published in every language edition of the regulation, and the identification column is written out in each of them. Nothing below is translated by us: each line is the name as that edition prints it. Under Art. 18(2) the substance name from Annex VI is a lawful product identifier, so this is the wording to put on a label going to that market — and where the cell lists several designations, any one of them qualifies.
| Language | Name in CLP Annex VI Part 3 |
|---|---|
| Bulgarian български | n -хексан |
| Spanish español | n -Hexano |
| Czech čeština | n -hexan |
| Danish dansk | n -hexan |
| German Deutsch | n -Hexan |
| Estonian eesti | n -heksaan |
| Greek ελληνικά | n -εξάνιο |
| English English | n -hexane |
| French français | n -hexane |
| Croatian hrvatski | n -heksan |
| Italian italiano | n -esano |
| Latvian latviešu | n -heksāns |
| Lithuanian lietuvių | n -heksanas |
| Hungarian magyar | n -hexán |
| Maltese Malti | n -eżan |
| Dutch Nederlands | n -hexaan |
| Polish polski | n -heksan |
| Portuguese português | n -hexano |
| Romanian română | n -hexan |
| Slovak slovenčina | n -hexán |
| Slovenian slovenščina | n -heksan |
| Finnish suomi | n -heksaani |
22 of the 23 language editions carry this entry; it is absent from Swedish. That is a property of the regulation, not a gap in this table — editions do occasionally differ in which entries they print. Irish is the twenty-fourth official EU language and has no line here for a different reason: no consolidated CLP text has ever been published in Irish, so there is no Irish edition of Annex VI to quote a name from. Source: consolidated CLP, CELEX 02008R1272, language editions. © European Union, https://eur-lex.europa.eu — only the electronic Official Journal of the European Union is authentic.
06 · Label elements
Hexane GHS label elements
Everything CLP Annex VI fixes for Hexane, laid out the way it appears on a label. The greyed lines are the parts only the supplier can fill in.
Danger
Hexane
- Highly flammable liquid and vapour.
- Suspected of damaging fertility.
- May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways.
- May cause drowsiness or dizziness.
- Causes damage to organs <or state all organs affected, if known> through prolonged or repeated exposure <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>.
- Causes skin irritation.
- Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
- Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking.
- Keep container tightly closed.
- Use explosion-proof [electrical/ventilating/lighting/…] equipment.
- Use only non-sparking tools.
- Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.
- Wash … thoroughly after handling.
- Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
- Avoid release to the environment.
- Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection/hearing protection/…
- IF ON SKIN:
- Get medical advice/attention.
- Get medical advice/attention if you feel unwell.
- If skin irritation occurs:
- Wash with plenty of water/…
- Collect spillage.
- Store in a well-ventilated place.
- Dispose of contents/container to …
Supplier name, address and telephone number· Product identifier·Nominal quantity
Need this as an actual label? Open Hexane in the GHS label constructor →
07 · Health hazards
Hexane health hazards and exposure limits
Hexane hazard summary
n-Hexane is a chemical made from crude oil. Pure n-Hexane is a colorless liquid with a slightly disagreeable odor. It is highly flammable, and its vapors can be explosive. Puren-Hexane is used in laboratories. Most of then-Hexane used in industry is mixed with similar chemicals called solvents. The major use for solvents containing n-Hexane is to extract vegetable oils from crops such as soybeans. These solvents are also used as cleaning agents in the printing, textile, furniture, and shoemaking industries. Certain kinds of special glues used in the roofing and shoe and leather industries also contain n-Hexane. Several consumer products containn-Hexane, such as gasoline, quick-drying glues used in various hobbies, and rubber cement. .
Source: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
Hexane occupational exposure limits
| Limit | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PEL | 500.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases |
| PEL | 500 ppm (1800 mg/m³) | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| PEL | TWA 500 ppm (1800 mg/m3) See Appendix G | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| REL | 50 ppm (180 mg/m³) | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| REL | TWA 50 ppm (180 mg/m3) | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| IDLH | 1100 ppm ; Based on 10% of the lower explosive limit. (NIOSH, 2024) | CAMEO Chemicals |
| IDLH | 1100.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases |
| IDLH | Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs: It has been reported that a 10minute exposure to 5,000 ppm caused dizziness and a sensation of giddiness. | Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases |
These are United States values. The European Union sets its own indicative and binding limits, and the figure that applies at a given workplace is the one in the local regulation — not the one shown here.
08 · Physical and chemical properties
Hexane properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
Hexane boiling point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 68.73 °C (155.7 °F) | HSDB | |
| 68.89 °C (156 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 68.89 °C (156 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO |
Hexane melting point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | -95.35 °C (-139.6 °F) | HSDB | |
| -139.44 °C (-219 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| -95 °C (-139 °F) | CAMEO |
Hexane density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 0.66 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 0.659 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| 0.6606 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | HSDB |
Hexane solubility
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solubility | Very soluble in ethanol; soluble in ethyl ether, chloroform | HSDB | |
| 9.5 to 13 mg/L at 20 °C in distilled water, 75.5 mg/L at 20 °C in salt water | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| In water, 9.5 mg/L at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB |
Hexane vapor pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor pressure | 124 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 120 mmHg | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 153 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB |
Hexane flash point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash point | -21.67 °C (-7 °F) | HSDB | |
| -23 °C (-9.4 °F) | CAMEO |
Hexane autoignition temperature
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autoignition temperature | 225 °C (437 °F) | HSDB |
Hexane lower explosive limit (LEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 1.1 % by volume | by volume | HSDB |
| 1.1 % by volume | NIOSH | ||
| 1.2 % by volume | CAMEO |
Hexane upper explosive limit (UEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 7.5 % by volume | by volume | HSDB |
| 7.5 % by volume | NIOSH |
Hexane vapor density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor density | 2.97 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 3 (air = 1) | ICSC |
Hexane odor threshold
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Odor threshold | 0.0064 mg/l | HSDB | |
| Odor Threshold Low: 65.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map | ||
| Odor Threshold High: 248.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map |
Hexane critical temperature and pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical temperature and pressure | 234.35 °C (453.8 °F) | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
09 · Fire and explosion
Hexane fire and explosion behaviour
These are descriptions rather than measured values, so they are kept out of the table above and quoted here with the source that reported them.
Hexane fire potential
Flammable. Flashback along vapor trail may occur.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
10 · Handling and storage
Hexane storage and handling
Hexane reactive group
CAMEO Chemicals places Hexane in the reactive group Hydrocarbons, Aliphatic Saturated. Compatibility with other chemicals is worked out from the group, not from the individual substance — which is why two substances you have never seen react can still be flagged as a pair that must be separated.
A reactive group is a CAMEO Chemicals (US NOAA) grouping, not a GHS hazard class: it has no code, no category and no legal force. It is what the storage compatibility matrix on this site computes from.
Hexane safe storage
Store only in original container. Fireproof. Separated from strong oxidants. Well closed. Ventilation along the floor. Provision to contain effluent from fire extinguishing. Store in an area without drain or sewer access.
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Hexane storage conditions
Drums should be stored in a well-ventilated area in fire-resistant containers. Metal containers should be electrically-grounded, when liquid is being transferred.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Hexane incompatible materials
Forms explosive mixture with air. Contact with strong oxidizers may cause fire and explosions. contact with dinitrogen tetreoxide may explode at 28 °C. Attacks some plastics, rubber and coatings. may accumulate static electrical charges, and may cause ignition of its vapor.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Hexane reactivity
N-HEXANE may be sensitive to light. It may also be sensitive to prolonged exposure to heat. This compound can react vigorously with oxidizing materials. This would include compounds such as liquid chlorine, concentrated O2, sodium hypochlorite and calcium hypochlorite. It is also incompatible with dinitrogen tetraoxide. It will attack some forms of plastics, rubber and coatings. (NTP, 1992).
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Hexane in the storage compatibility matrix →
11 · Questions
Hexane — frequently asked questions
What is the CAS number of Hexane?
The CAS number of Hexane is 110-54-3. Its EC number is 203-777-6.
What does a Hexane label have to show?
Under CLP Annex VI the label for Hexane carries the pictograms Flame, Health hazard, Exclamation mark and Environment and the signal word is Danger.
Is Hexane flammable?
Yes. CLP Annex VI assigns Hexane H225 — highly flammable liquid and vapour. The flash point reported for it is -21.67 °C (-7 °F) (HSDB).
Is Hexane a carcinogen?
CLP Annex VI records no harmonised carcinogenicity classification for Hexane. Annex VI is a list of agreed classifications, not a list of substances found safe, so this is an absence of a classification rather than a clean bill of health.
What is the exposure limit for Hexane?
The US occupational exposure limit reported for Hexane is 500.0 [ppm] (Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases). Limits differ by country: the EU sets its own indicative and binding values, and the figure that applies at a given workplace is the one in the local regulation.
What is the boiling point of Hexane?
The boiling point reported for Hexane is 68.73 °C (155.7 °F) (HSDB).
What is the melting point of Hexane?
The melting point reported for Hexane is -95.35 °C (-139.6 °F) (HSDB).
How should Hexane be stored?
CLP Annex VI assigns Hexane the storage statement P403. Drums should be stored in a well-ventilated area in fire-resistant containers. Metal containers should be electrically-grounded, when liquid is being transferred. (Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB))
Nearby
Substances next to Hexane
Keep going: substances starting with H, or search the whole database by name, CAS number, pictogram or signal word.
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