hexacosane

Hexacosane is an organic chemical compound with the formula C26H54. It is a straight-chain alkane, meaning it consists of twenty-six carbon atoms linked together in a single, unbranched chain, with each carbon atom bonded to the maximum possible number of hydrogen atoms. As a member of the alkane family, hexacosane is a saturated hydrocarbon, containing only single bonds between carbon atoms and between carbon and hydrogen atoms. This saturation makes it relatively unreactive under normal conditions.

Hexacosane is a solid at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. Like other long-chain alkanes, it is hydrophobic, meaning it does not readily mix with water, and is soluble in nonpolar organic solvents. Its physical properties, such as melting point and boiling point, are higher than those of shorter-chain alkanes due to increased van der Waals forces between the molecules. It can be found in natural sources, such as petroleum and certain waxes. Hexacosane finds limited direct industrial applications but serves as a component in various mixtures and is a model compound for studying the behavior of long-chain hydrocarbons. Its primary significance lies in its presence within complex mixtures and its role in fundamental chemical research concerning hydrocarbon properties.