Tetracosane is a long-chain hydrocarbon that plays a significant role in research, industrial applications, and biomedical studies. Its chemical formula, C24H50, represents a straight chain of 24 carbon atoms fully saturated with hydrogen, which makes it highly stable and hydrophobic. These characteristics allow tetracosane to function as a reference material in laboratories, a component in waxes and lubricants, and a model compound for studying hydrophobic interactions in biomedical research. Its high melting point compared to shorter alkanes allows it to remain solid at room temperature, providing a reliable and durable material for multiple applications.
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What is Tetracosane?
Tetracosane belongs to the alkane family, which are saturated hydrocarbons with single carbon-carbon bonds. This linear hydrocarbon is chemically inert, meaning it does not react easily with acids, bases, or oxidizing agents. Its hydrophobic nature makes it repellent to water while allowing it to dissolve in organic solvents like hexane, benzene, and chloroform. In laboratory and industrial applications, tetracosane's stability and predictable behavior are critical, as it ensures consistent results across a variety of experimental and manufacturing processes. Its straight-chain structure also makes it a valuable compound for studying lipid layers, hydrophobic coatings, and thermal materials.
Chemical Properties of Tetracosane
Tetracosane has several distinct chemical and physical properties that make it ideal for laboratory and industrial use. Its molecular weight is 338.65 g/mol, and its structure is a straight chain of 24 carbon atoms with single bonds. The crystalline solid appears colorless and exhibits a melting point of 50–52℃ and a boiling point of 391℃, reflecting its high thermal stability. Tetracosane is insoluble in water but dissolves in most organic solvents, which allows researchers and industry specialists to incorporate it into hydrophobic systems and analytical processes.
In addition to its stability, tetracosane has several structural isomers, although the straight-chain form is most commonly used in research and industrial applications. This chemical inertness and hydrophobic behavior make tetracosane particularly suitable for chromatography calibration, material coatings, and lipid membrane studies, as it does not introduce unwanted chemical reactions or variability.
Physical Characteristics of Tetracosane
Physically, tetracosane is a colorless crystalline solid that is waxy at room temperature. Its density is approximately 0.8 g/cm3 at 25℃, and it retains its solid form due to its long-chain structure. Tetracosane's high melting point allows it to remain stable under conditions that would melt shorter-chain hydrocarbons, making it suitable for waxes, lubricants, and phase-change materials. Its solubility in organic solvents provides versatility in laboratory preparation and industrial formulations, while its insolubility in water ensures that it can act as a protective hydrophobic layer in coatings or membranes.
Industrial and Commercial Applications of Tetracosane
Tetracosane is widely used across multiple industries, and its applications can be grouped into laboratory research, material science, biomedical studies, and consumer products.
Laboratory and Research Applications
In research laboratories, tetracosane serves as a reference standard in gas chromatography and other analytical techniques. It ensures accurate calibration of instruments and reliable results in experiments involving hydrophobic interactions or lipid studies. Tetracosane is also used as a model compound for studying membrane dynamics, hydrophobic coatings, and analytical testing, providing reproducible behavior due to its chemical stability. At Amerigo Scientific, researchers can access high-purity tetracosane for these precise applications, ensuring confidence in experimental results.
Industrial Applications
In industry, tetracosane is valued for its thermal stability and hydrophobicity. It is commonly incorporated into waxes, coatings, and lubricants, allowing surfaces to resist moisture, reduce friction, and maintain performance under varying environmental conditions. Tetracosane is also explored as a phase-change material, contributing to temperature control systems in advanced industrial applications.
Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Applications
Although tetracosane is not an active pharmaceutical ingredient, it plays a supporting role in biomedical research. Its hydrophobic nature is leveraged in drug delivery studies to form protective coatings or control the release of compounds. Tetracosane also serves as a reference material in experiments involving lipid layers or hydrophobic interactions, which is particularly valuable for researchers in pharmaceutical and biomedical fields.
Cosmetic and Material Science Applications
In cosmetics, tetracosane is used to enhance texture and stability in lipsticks, creams, and ointments, while in material science it helps produce polymers with specific melting points and flow characteristics. Its hydrophobicity allows it to function as a protective surface coating, providing resistance to moisture and extending product durability.
Benefits of Using Tetracosane
Tetracosane offers several advantages for research and industrial applications. Its chemical stability ensures predictable experimental outcomes and consistent product performance, while its hydrophobicity allows for reliable coatings and lipid studies. It is generally non-toxic and safe for laboratory use when proper precautions are taken, and its availability makes it a cost-effective solution for a variety of applications. High-purity tetracosane from suppliers like Amerigo Scientific ensures reliable results and reduces variability in both laboratory and industrial settings, enabling scientists and engineers to achieve precise, reproducible outcomes.
Handling, Storage, and Safety Guidelines
While tetracosane is relatively safe, proper handling and storage are essential. It should be stored in a cool, dry environment away from sparks and open flames, as it is flammable. Gloves and eye protection are recommended when handling large quantities, and disposal should follow local hydrocarbon waste regulations. Amerigo Scientific provides technical support and safety data sheets (SDS) to guide researchers and industrial users, ensuring safe and effective use of tetracosane in all applications.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tetracosane
Q1: What is tetracosane used for?
Tetracosane is used in research, industrial coatings, waxes, lubricants, and biomedical studies. It serves as a reference material and protective component in various applications.
Q2: Is tetracosane safe for lab use?
Yes, it is non-toxic under controlled conditions, but flammable. Standard lab safety protocols should be followed.
Q3: How is tetracosane synthesized?
Tetracosane is obtained from refined hydrocarbons such as paraffin wax or produced synthetically for high-purity laboratory applications.
Q4: Can tetracosane dissolve in water?
No, tetracosane is hydrophobic and insoluble in water but dissolves in organic solvents like hexane, benzene, and chloroform.
Q5: Why is tetracosane important in biomedical research?
Its stability and hydrophobicity make it useful for studying lipid interactions, drug delivery coatings, and protective layers in experimental systems.
Conclusion
Tetracosane is a versatile and reliable hydrocarbon with applications across research, industry, biomedical studies, and material science. Its chemical stability, hydrophobic properties, and high melting point make it an indispensable tool for scientists and industrial professionals who require predictable, consistent, and safe materials. By sourcing high-quality tetracosane from Amerigo Scientific, researchers and industry specialists can ensure reproducible results, reliable performance, and expert technical support, making it a dependable choice for modern scientific and industrial applications. From chromatography standards and protective coatings to biomedical studies and cosmetic formulations, tetracosane demonstrates the balance between simplicity and utility, providing a robust solution for a wide range of scientific and commercial needs.
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