Dodecane, a common chemical compound, is known by several other names, including dihexyl, bihexyl, adakane 12, and duodecane.
Understanding Dodecane and Its Aliases
Dodecane (C12H26) is a straight-chain alkane hydrocarbon. It is primarily recognized as an oily liquid and belongs to the larger family of n-alkanes. Its various aliases often stem from its chemical structure or historical nomenclature.
Here's a breakdown of its alternative names:
| Alias | Description |
|---|---|
| Dihexyl | Implies a connection to two hexyl groups (six-carbon chains). |
| Bihexyl | Similar to dihexyl, signifying two hexyl components. |
| Adakane 12 | Likely a commercial or specific catalog name, with '12' indicating its carbon chain length. |
| Duodecane | A more systematic alternative, where "duo-" means two and "decane" refers to a ten-carbon chain, combining to indicate twelve carbons. |
Key Properties of Dodecane
As an n-alkane, dodecane possesses specific characteristics that define its identity:
- Chemical Formula: C12H26, indicating twelve carbon atoms and twenty-six hydrogen atoms.
- Physical State: It is an oily liquid at room temperature.
- Hydrocarbon Type: Classified as an n-alkane, meaning it's a normal (straight-chain) saturated hydrocarbon.
- Isomers: Dodecane is notable for having a vast number of structural isomers; there are 355 possible isomers for the chemical formula C12H26. These isomers have the same chemical formula but different arrangements of atoms.
For further information on hydrocarbons and their properties, you can explore resources like Wikipedia on Dodecane.
