Product Overview
n-Heptane 99% ACS is a straight-chain alkane solvent (C7H16) offered in ACS Grade at 99% assay. It is a clear, colorless liquid with a gasoline-like odor, a flash point of 25 °F, and a density well below water — properties that make it a workhorse solvent in analytical laboratories, extraction processes, and precision cleaning operations.
This product ships as a Class 3 flammable liquid under UN1206, handled through our hazmat-qualified distribution workflow from Taylor, TX. Available from pint bottles through 55-gallon drums, it scales from single-bench analytical runs to production-volume extraction and degreasing.
Why This Concentration
At 99% assay in ACS Grade, this n-heptane is procured for workflows where solvent background interference must be minimal. HPLC analysts selecting a mobile phase need a heptane whose trace impurities won't produce ghost peaks or baseline drift. The same logic applies to GC calibration: a reference solvent with well-characterized purity keeps retention-time windows tight and quantitation reliable.
If your process is industrial degreasing or parts cleaning where analytical-grade purity adds no value, a technical-grade heptane would cost less per gallon. But for lab extraction, chromatographic work, or any application where you need to defend your results in a quality report, the ACS Grade designation tells your auditor which procurement tier you specified.
Chemical Profile
n-Heptane (CAS 142-82-5) is a seven-carbon saturated hydrocarbon with the molecular formula C7H16 and a molecular weight of 100.20 g/mol. It presents as a clear, colorless liquid with a gasoline-like odor. The density is 0.6838 at 68 °F — substantially lighter than water — and the solvent is essentially insoluble in water at 0.0003%. Vapor pressure registers at 37.49 mmHg at 70 °F, so it evaporates readily at room temperature. Its vapors are heavier than air and will collect in low-lying areas, sumps, and floor drains. The flash point of 25 °F places it firmly in the highly flammable category.
Industrial Applications
n-Heptane's low reactivity, well-defined boiling behavior, and minimal residue after evaporation give it a specific role in each of these processes:
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HPLC Mobile Phase — In reversed-phase liquid chromatography, n-heptane serves as a non-polar mobile-phase component. Its low UV absorbance and consistent purity at ACS Grade reduce detector noise and improve separation reproducibility for organic compound analysis.
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GC Calibration Standard — Gas chromatography labs use n-heptane as a retention-time reference because its boiling point and molecular weight are well characterized. A solvent with known, tightly controlled purity anchors the calibration curve that every subsequent sample measurement depends on.
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Extraction Solvent — In liquid-liquid extraction workflows, n-heptane's immiscibility with water and low density let it form a clean upper phase. It is used to isolate non-polar analytes from aqueous matrices in both analytical sample prep and process-scale extraction.
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Organic Synthesis Solvent — In synthetic procedures requiring a non-polar, non-coordinating medium, n-heptane stays inert. Its low reactivity means it does not participate in the target chemistry or introduce side products.
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Industrial Cleaning and Degreasing — n-Heptane dissolves hydrocarbon-based greases, oils, and waxes from metal parts and precision equipment. It evaporates cleanly, leaving minimal residue on the substrate — an advantage when the cleaned surface feeds directly into a coating, bonding, or inspection step.
Handling & Storage
n-Heptane carries a Danger signal word (per the product's GHS classification). The hazard statements assigned to this product are:
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H225 — Highly flammable liquid and vapor (per the product's GHS classification)
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H304 — May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways (per the product's GHS classification)
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H315 — Causes skin irritation (per the product's GHS classification)
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H336 — May cause drowsiness or dizziness (per the product's GHS classification)
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H410 — Very toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects (per the product's GHS classification)
With a flash point of 25 °F, even ambient-temperature vapors can reach flammable concentrations. Store in a cool, well-ventilated area away from heat sources, sparks, and open flame. Use HDPE or glass containers and keep them tightly sealed when not dispensing. Avoid contact with strong oxidizing agents and acids. Because vapors are heavier than air, ensure ventilation at floor level in enclosed spaces — monitor sumps, pits, and low points where vapor can pool undetected.
Operators should wear chemical-resistant gloves and splash-proof safety goggles. Use local exhaust ventilation or appropriate respiratory protection in areas where vapor concentrations may build. Keep containers away from direct light to slow degradation.
Hazmat & Shipping
n-Heptane 99% ACS is regulated for transport as a Class 3 flammable liquid:
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UN Number: UN1206 (per 49 CFR 172.101)
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Hazard Class: 3 — Flammable Liquid (per 49 CFR 172.101)
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Packing Group: II (per 49 CFR 172.101)
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Proper Shipping Name: Heptanes (per 49 CFR 172.101)
Every shipment from Alliance Chemical is prepared with proper DOT hazmat markings, labels, and shipping papers. Our warehouse team in Taylor, TX handles Class 3 flammable liquids daily — placarding, packaging compatibility checks, and carrier coordination are part of the standard workflow for this product.
Documentation
A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) ships with every order and is available in English, Spanish, French, and Japanese. A Technical Data Sheet (TDS) is available on request for buyers evaluating this solvent against their process requirements. Lot-specific Certificates of Analysis (COA) are available for labs and QC teams that need to verify assay and trace impurity levels against their incoming-material specifications.
Why Buy from Alliance Chemical
n-Heptane 99% ACS is available to order from pint bottles through 55-gallon drums — the same ACS Grade product in a format that fits a single-analyst bench or a production-floor solvent station. Unlike competitors who may not handle Class 3 flammable solvents in-house, Alliance Chemical has distributed hazmat chemicals since 1998, serving over 50,000 customers from our own warehouse in Taylor, Texas. Shipping and handling guidance on this page is reviewed by Andre Taki, DOT Hazmat Specialist, and every n-heptane shipment leaves our dock with correct Class 3 placarding and documentation.
