What is "tridecane"

Tridecane \Tri*dec"ane\ (tr[-i]*d[e^]k"[=a]n), n. [Pref. tri- + Gr. ? ten. So called from the number of carbon atoms in the molecule.] (Chem.) A hydrocarbon, C13H28, of the methane series, which is a probable ingredient both of crude petroleum and of kerosene, and is produced artificially as a light colorless liquid.

n. (context organic compound English) Any of very many isomeric saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having thirteen carbon atoms, but especially ''n-tridecane'', CH₃(CH₂)₁₁CH₃

Tridecane is any alkane hydrocarbon with the chemical formula , or to a mixture of them. There are 802 constitutional isomers with that formula. In the IUPAC nomenclature, the name refers exclusively to one isomer, the straight-chain CH(CH)CH, also called normal or n-tridecane; the other isomers are named as derivatives of lighter hydrocarbons, as in 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-3-t-butyl-pentane.

Tridecanes are combustible colourless liquids. In industry, they have no specific value aside from being components of various fuels and solvents. In the research laboratory, n-tridecane is sometimes also used as a distillation chaser.