Product Code Database
Eicosane (alternative spellings icosane and eichosane (1983). 9780891163565, Hemisphere Pub. Corp. ISBN 9780891163565) is an alkane with the chemical formula C20H42. It has 366,319 constitutional isomers.
n-Eicosane (the straight-chain structural isomer of eicosane) is the shortest compound found in , used to form candles. It can be isolated from agave attenuata leaves. It is also found in Vanilla madagascariensis and Gymnodinium nagasakiense. Eicosane Pubchem
Eicosane's size, state and chemical inactivity do not exclude it from the traits of its smaller alkane counterparts. It is a colorless or white, non-polar molecule, nearly unreactive except when it burns. It is less dense than and insoluble in water. Its non-polar trait means it can only perform weak intermolecular bonding (hydrophobic/van der Waals forces).
Eicosane's phase transition at a moderate temperature makes it a candidate phase change material, or PCM, which can be used to store thermal energy and control temperature.
It can be detected in the body odor of persons suffering from Parkinson's disease.
IUPAC currently recommends icosane, whereas Chemical Abstracts Service and Beilstein use eicosane.
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