Tetradecane

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.

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.
[1] Kewei Liu. (2025). Probing the Challenge of P-Type Semiconductors in Long-Chain VOC Detection: 3D Micro-Flower Zinc Cobaltate Heterojunction Sensors. Advanced Science, 12 34. https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202502646
[2] Shubhranil Kundu . (2025). Resistive sensor for tetradecane and H2S based on SnO2 nanoparticles. Sensors and Actuators A-Physical, 391, Article 116635. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sna.2025.116635

Tetradecane is a long-chain alkane that is considered a volatile marker for the early detection of mould growth in stored grain, as well as a reference substance in hydrocarbon research[1]. Furthermore, it has been studied as a biomarker for lung cancer. In addition to indicating lung cancer, it has also been found to indicate a deterioration in lung function. It can be used in the development of sensors based on the detection of gaseous biomarkers[2].

colourless liquid

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.

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.

Tetradecane is a biomarker in dog hair for visceral leishmaniasis.

Organic synthesis, solvent standardized hydrocarbon, distillation chaser.

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.

Tetradecane is isolated from kerosene and gas oil fractions of crude oil by selective adsorption followed by fractional distillation.

Colorless liquid. Must be preheated before ignition can occur.

Insoluble in water.

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.

A fire hazard. Lower flammable limit in air 0.5%.

ACUTE/CHRONIC HAZARDS: Explosion hazard: Moderate, in the form of vapor when exposed.

Tetradecane is a cocarcinogen and tumor promoter in two-stage experiments of benzo[a]pyrene carcinogenicity in mice.

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.]