Cyclopentane is the first ring-shaped, naturally occurring hydrocarbon. It is present in very small quantities in crude oil, the most common source being naphtha from crackers. The chemical formula for this cycloalkane, or naphthene, is C5H10.
|
Parameter |
Unit |
|
|
CAS Number |
287-92-3 |
|
|
EC Number |
206-016-6 |
|
|
Customs tariff number |
29021900 |
|
|
Molar mass |
g/mol |
70.1 |
|
State at ambient temperature |
liquid colourless |
|
|
Odour |
gasoline |
|
|
Density |
g/cm3 (15 °C) |
0.75 |
|
Melting Point |
°C |
-94 |
|
Boiling Point |
°C |
49 |
|
Flash Point |
°C |
-51 |
|
Vapour Pressure |
kPa (20 °C) |
34.6 |
|
Refractive index |
1.4065 |
Cyclopentane is almost insoluble in water, but shows very good solubility or unlimited miscibility with many organic solvents such as other paraffins, ethers, esters, white spirit, benzene or chlorinated hydrocarbons.
Like all cyclic alkanes (naphthenes, saturated hydrocarbons), Cyclopentane is a very good solvent for non-polar substances, fats and oils. However, the value of cyclopentane lies in another application. Its unique structure, combined with a relatively low boiling point, make it a preferred molecule for the manufacture of polyurethane insulation board. Cyclopentane not only foams the material, but some of it remains in the foam cells, and its special physical properties contribute to an even better insulating effect.
For this reason, it is used not only in the construction industry for insulating house facades, but also in the manufacture of particularly efficient refrigerators, freezers, cold stores and trucks for transporting frozen or very temperature-sensitive goods.
Very rarely Cyclopentane is used as a solvent or as a basic building block in fine chemicals.
Synonyms: Cyclopentane, Pentane, Cyclic pentane, Pentamethylene