Description
Tetradecane is an alkane hydrocarbon containing 14 carbon atoms. It
is majorly used for the organic synthesis, and used as a kind of
organic solvent. Its binary mixtures with hexadecane can be used as
phase change materials (PCMs) for cool storage in district cooling
systems for refrigeration and air-conditioning. It can also be used
as a standard analysis agent in chromatography analysis. In the
determination of silicate ion, tetradecane can be used as an
internal standard for calibration.
References
He, B. "00/01073 Tetradecane and hexadecane binary mixtures as phase change materials (PCMs) for cool storage in district cooling systems."Fuel & Energy Abstracts 41.2(2000):117–118.
Bassler, Peter, et al. "Olefin is first absorbed from offgas stream formed in oxidation in a solvent comprising hydrocarbons, preferably tetradecane, subsequently desorbed therefrom, possibly freed of aliphatics, and recirculated to oxidation process; recirculation of propene use." US, US 7544818 B2. 2009.
Zhao, M., et al. "Modulated self-assembly of 4,4'- diphenyltetrathiafulvalene molecules on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite by n-tetradecane solvent." Nanotechnology 20.42 (2009):425301.
Chamblee, Theresa S., et al. "Quantitative analysis of the volatile constituents of lemon peel oil. Effects of silica gel chromatography on the composition of its hydrocarbon and oxygenated fractions." Journal of agricultural and food chemistry 39.1 (1991): 162-169.
Chemical Properties
colourless liquid
Chemical Properties
Tetradecane, C14H30, is a colorless liquid with moderate
explosive potential and specific gravity 0.763.
It occurs naturally in crude oil and in chickpea seeds,
nectarines, and kiwi-fruit flowers. It may be released
to the environment during its production and use, in the
exhaust of motor vehicles, and in the effluent of landfills and
industrial processes.
Uses
Tetradecane, often as a mixture with other
straight-chain alkanes, is used as building block for detergents
and animal feeds, and as a solvent and distillation
chaser.
Uses
Tetradecane is a biomarker in dog hair for visceral leishmaniasis.
Uses
Organic synthesis, solvent standardized hydrocarbon,
distillation chaser.
Definition
ChEBI: Tetradecane is a straight chain alkane consisting of 14 carbon atoms. It has a role as a plant metabolite and a volatile oil component.
Production Methods
Tetradecane is isolated from kerosene and gas oil fractions
of crude oil by selective adsorption followed by fractional
distillation.
General Description
Colorless liquid. Must be preheated before ignition can occur.
Air & Water Reactions
Insoluble in water.
Reactivity Profile
Saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as Tetradecane, may be incompatible with strong oxidizing agents like nitric acid. Charring of the hydrocarbon may occur followed by ignition of unreacted hydrocarbon and other nearby combustibles. In other settings, aliphatic saturated hydrocarbons are mostly unreactive. They are not affected by aqueous solutions of acids, alkalis, most oxidizing agents, and most reducing agents. When heated sufficiently or when ignited in the presence of air, oxygen or strong oxidizing agents, they burn exothermically to produce carbon dioxide and water.
Hazard
A fire hazard. Lower flammable limit in air
0.5%.
Health Hazard
ACUTE/CHRONIC HAZARDS: Explosion hazard: Moderate, in the form of vapor when exposed.
Carcinogenicity
Tetradecane is a cocarcinogen
and tumor promoter in two-stage experiments of
benzo[a]pyrene carcinogenicity in mice.
Purification Methods
Wash it successively with 4M H2SO4 and water. Dry it over MgSO4 and distil it several times under reduced pressure [Po. et al. J Am Chem Soc 108 5459 1986]. It is used as a standard in gas chromatography. [Beilstein 1 H 171, 1 IV 520.]
