Product

n-Heptane is a straight-chain saturated hydrocarbon (normal alkane) with the molecular formula C₇H₁₆, consisting of seven carbon atoms in an unbranched chain. A colorless, highly volatile and flammable liquid with a faint petroleum-like odor, it occurs naturally in crude oil (0.1–1.9%) and is a major component of straight-run naphtha and gasoline. It is best known industrially as the zero-point reference fuel on the octane rating scale — pure n-heptane is assigned an octane number of 0 by definition, representing the poorest knock resistance — and as a widely used non-polar solvent.

In catalytic naphtha reforming, n-heptane is a key paraffin feedstock that undergoes dehydrocyclization to toluene (C₇H₁₆ → toluene + 4 H₂), making it central to BTX aromatics production.

Industrial uses:

• Octane rating reference standard: pure n-heptane = 0 RON, used in ASTM knock-test engines to calibrate antiknock performance of all gasoline blends
• Non-polar solvent: paints, lacquers, rubber cement, adhesives, printing inks, extraction processes
• Laboratory reagent: non-polar mobile phase in chromatography, extraction solvent in organic synthesis
• Reformer feedstock: undergoes dehydrocyclization to toluene + 4 H₂ in CCR/semi-regen reformers — the key paraffin-to-aromatic reaction
• Outdoor stove fuel and pharmaceutical processing solvent