What is "decane"

Decane \Dec"ane\, n. [See Deca-.] (Chem.) A liquid hydrocarbon, C10H22, of the paraffin series, including several isomeric modifications.

n. (context chemistry English) any of the seventy-five isomers of the aliphatic hydrocarbon having the chemical formula C₁₀H₂₂

Decane is an alkane hydrocarbon with the chemical formula CH. Although, 75 structural isomers are possible for decane, the term usually refers to the normal-decane ("n-decane"), with the formula CH(CH)CH. All isomers, however, exhibit similar properties and little attention is paid to the composition. These isomers are flammable liquids. Decane is a component of gasoline (petrol) and kerosene. Like other alkanes, it is nonpolar solvent, does not dissolve in water, and is readily combustable. Although it is a component of fuels, it is of little importance as a chemical feedstock, unlike a handful of other alkanes.