Hydrocarbon mixtures

Hydrocarbon mixtures are a group of various volatile, highly flammable, mixtures used chiefly as nonpolar solvents.

Additional recommended knowledge

Essential Laboratory Skills Guide

Daily Visual Balance Check

What is the Sensitivity of my Balance?

Composition

Hydrocarbon mixtures are composed of hydrocarbons, benzine, and petroleum ethers.

A hydrocarbon is any chemical compound that consists only of the elements carbon (C) and hydrogen (H). They all contain a carbon frame, and have hydrogen atoms attached to the frame. Often the term is used as a shortened form of the term aliphatic hydrocarbon. Most hydrocarbons are combustible.

Benzine, also known as petroleum ether, is a hydrocarbon mixture. Benzine should not be confused with benzene. Benzine is a mixture of alkanes, such as pentane, hexane, and heptane. Benzene is a cyclic, aromatic hydrocarbon.

Petroleum ether is obtained from petroleum refineries as the portion of the distillate which is intermediate between the lighter naphtha and the heavier kerosene. It has a specific gravity of between 0.6 and 0.8 depending on its composition. Petroleum ether should not be confused with the class of organic compounds called ethers.