Eicosane (also known as icosane or didecyl) is an alkane hydrocarbon with the chemical formula CH₃(CH₂)₁₈CH₃. CAS registry numbers are unique numerical identifiers for chemical compounds, polymers, biological sequences and alloys. ... EC numbers (Enzyme Commission numbers) are a numerical classification scheme for enzymes, based on the chemical reactions they catalyze. ... An alkane in organic chemistry is a saturated hydrocarbon without cycles, that is, an acyclic hydrocarbon in which the molecule has the maximum possible number of hydrogen atoms and so has no double bonds. ... Hydrocarbons are refined at oil refineries and chemical plants In chemistry, a hydrocarbon is any chemical compound that consists only of the elements carbon (C) and hydrogen (H). ... A chemical formula (also called molecular formula) is a concise way of expressing information about the atoms that constitute a particular chemical compound. ...

Eicosane has little use in the petrochemical industry, as its high flash point makes it an inefficient fuel. Due to its chemical inactivity, n-eicosane (a fully straight-chain structural isomer of eicosane) is part of the paraffin group, and is the shortest molecule in the compounds used to form candles. A petrochemical is any chemical derived from fossil fuels. ... The flash point of a fuel is the lowest temperature at which it can form an ignitable mix with air. ... In chemistry, isomers are molecules with the same chemical formula and often with the same kinds of bonds between atoms, but in which the atoms are arranged differently. ... Paraffin is a common name for a group of high molecular weight alkane hydrocarbons with the general formula CnH2n+2, where n is greater than about 20, discovered by Carl Reichenbach. ... A compound is an area of land that is surrounded by fences, walls, or barbed wire and is used for a particular purpose, especially an area containing buildings and where the entry and exit of people is controlled. ...

Eicosane's size, state or chemical inactivity does not exclude it from the traits its smaller alkane counterparts have. It is colourless, less dense than water, a non-polar molecule, nearly non-reactive with any other atom or molecule unless combusted, and insoluble. Its non-polar trait means it can only perform weak hydrogen intermolecular bonding (Hydrophobic/Van der Waal's forces). In general, a molecule is the smallest particle of a pure chemical substance that still retains its composition and chemical properties. ... Intermolecular describes a process or characteristic that extends from one molecule to an adjacent one; a property or phenomenon that extends from one molecule to another. ... In chemistry, hydrophobic or lipophilic species, or hydrophobes, tend to be electrically neutral and nonpolar, and thus prefer other neutral and nonpolar solvents or molecular environments. ... In chemistry, the term Van der Waals force originally referred to all forms of intermolecular forces; however, in modern usage it tends to refer to intermolecular forces that deal with forces due to the polarization of molecules. ...

Eicosane's phase changing ability at non-extreme temperatures makes it a prime candidate for encapsulated phase change materials, or PCMs, that are used to maintain a constant temperature in applications such as clothing, home insulation, and work clothing.

External links

• Material Safety Data Sheet for Eicosane
• http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/duke/chemical.pl?EICOSANE