Octadecane is an alkane hydrocarbon that has the molecular formula CH3(CH2)16CH3. It is a straight-chain alkane that carries 18 carbon atoms. Octadecane has a role as a plant metabolite and a bacterial metabolite. It is found in alcoholic beverages, hop oil, aband other plant resources. Octadecane is a colorless liquid that has a fuel-like smell. It is soluble in water, slightly soluble in ethanol and soluble. It is also soluble in acetone, ethyl ether, chloroform, petroleum, ether, and coal tar hydrocarbons.
n-octadecane is used as a solvent, a lubricant, transformer oil and an anti-corrosion agent. It is also used in paraffin and as a chemical intermediate in organic synthesis. It plays an important role in pheromones as a chemical messenger. N-Octadecane/ molecular sieve 5A composites find application as thermal storage material.
ChEBI: A straight-chain alkane carrying 18 carbon atoms.
Saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as Octadecane, 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.
Crystallise it from acetone and distil it from sodium in a vacuum. [Beilstein 1 IV 553.]
