Dodecane

What is dodecane?

Dodecane is an alkane with twelve carbon atoms. The name usually refers to the linear isomer, n-dodecane (CAS 112-40-3), with the formula CH3(CH2)10CH3 and a molar mass of about 170.3 g/mol. It is a colourless liquid at room temperature, boils at roughly 216 °C and is less dense than water. It is practically insoluble in water but mixes readily with other non-polar organic solvents. Many branched isomers also exist, so procurement teams should confirm whether a product is the pure n-isomer or a mixture of isomers.

Find out more about Dodecane on our product page →

What is dodecane used for?

Common applications include:

• Non-polar solvent and reaction medium, where a high-boiling, chemically inert hydrocarbon is needed.
• Diluent in solvent extraction, for example with tributyl phosphate (TBP) in nuclear fuel reprocessing.
• Reference standard in GC and GC-MS, including use in alkane retention-index series.
• Surrogate fuel component for kerosene and aviation fuel in combustion and spray studies.
• Oil phase in emulsion and interfacial research.

It is supplied in several grades, from technical to high-purity analytical grades. A CoA typically reports purity by GC.

How should dodecane be handled?

Under GHS, dodecane is generally classified as an aspiration hazard (H304: may be fatal if swallowed and enters airways). Supplier SDSs often add EUH066, because repeated exposure may cause skin dryness or cracking. It is combustible, so keep it away from ignition sources and store it in closed containers in a well-ventilated area. Always check the supplier's SDS and REACH registration details, because classification can vary with purity and isomer content.

Related concepts

Dodecane belongs to the alkane (paraffin) family, alongside decane, undecane, tridecane and hexadecane. Related topics include hydrocarbon solvents, kerosene, solvent extraction, retention indices in gas chromatography and aspiration-hazard classification under GHS.