Petroleum ether, a petroleum distillation fraction, is a mixture of low molecular weight aliphatic hydrocarbons (mostly pentanes and hexanes) with a low boiling range, typically around 30-60oC. Its name is derived from its origin and its ease of evaporation. Petroleum ether is commonly used as a nonpolar solvent for oils, fats, and waxes. Petroleum ether is used in pharmaceutical industries as a solvent to isolate compounds, e.g. petroleum ether can extract stigmasterol and beta-sitosterol from the aerial parts of Ageratum conyzoides and compounds with immunomodulatory activity from Anacyclus pyrethrum. It is also used as a detergent, a fuel, insecticide, in paints and varnishes, and in photography.
