icosane
Icosane is a saturated hydrocarbon with the chemical formula C20H42. It is an alkane, meaning it consists solely of carbon and hydrogen atoms connected by single bonds. As a member of the alkane family, icosane is a straight-chain molecule, though isomers with branched carbon chains also exist. In its pure form, icosane is typically a white, waxy solid at room temperature. Like other higher alkanes, it is insoluble in water but soluble in nonpolar organic solvents. Its boiling point is around 342.7 °C and its melting point is approximately 36.6 °C. Icosane is flammable and its combustion produces carbon dioxide and water. It is a component of paraffin wax and is found in petroleum distillates. Due to its long carbon chain, icosane exhibits relatively low reactivity, characteristic of saturated hydrocarbons. It is primarily used as a reference compound in analytical chemistry and in scientific research investigating the properties of long-chain alkanes.
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