16kolvätekedja

16kolvätekedja, also known as hexadecane, is a saturated hydrocarbon with the chemical formula C16H34. It is a straight-chain alkane, meaning its carbon atoms are arranged in a single, unbranched line. As a member of the alkane family, hexadecane is nonpolar and exhibits properties characteristic of hydrocarbons, such as being insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents. It is a colorless liquid at room temperature with a melting point of around 18 degrees Celsius and a boiling point of approximately 287 degrees Celsius.

Hexadecane is a component of kerosene and diesel fuel, and it is also found in petroleum. Industrially, it can be produced through the fractional distillation of crude oil. Its primary uses are as a solvent and as a component in various fuels. In scientific research, hexadecane is often used as a standard for calibrating instruments like gas chromatographs due to its well-defined physical properties. It can also serve as a reference compound in studies related to hydrocarbon combustion and environmental fate of petroleum products. The combustion of hexadecane, like other alkanes, produces carbon dioxide and water.