Ingredient Dictionary

PENTANE

Pentane is a straight chain alkane consisting of 5 carbon atoms.

Definition

Pentane is a straight chain alkane consisting of 5 carbon atoms. It has a role as a non-polar solvent and a refrigerant. It is a volatile organic compound and an alkane.

Source: PubChem

US FDA substance register · UNII 4FEX897A91 · registered name PENTANE · single chemical substance

Source: US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)

Cosmetic roles

Base that dissolves other ingredientsSOLVENTPushes the product out (aerosol)PROPELLANT

Safety & regulatory references

Not classified under Korea’s toxic-substance GHS list · existing chemical substance

Source: Korea toxic substances GHS register (NIER)

Other restriction: ban substances that deplete the ozone layer

Source: EU CosIng ingredient list

More data — names, identifiers, properties, test records, literature

Official labels & definitions

JCIA labelling name ペンタン: 本品は、次の化学式で表される炭化水素である。

Source: JCIA labelling names (Japan)

Names & identifiers

PENTANEINCI펜탄Korean label name (MFDS standard)ペンタンJapanese labelling name

CAS No.chemical registry number: 109-66-0
EC No.EU chemical inventory number: 203-692-4
DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID: DTXSID2025846
DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID: DTXCID705846

IUPAC: Pentane
Molecular formula: C5H12
Molecular weight: 72.151 g/mol

Measured properties

Appearance: N-pentane appears as a clear colorless liquid with a petroleum-like odor. Flash point -57 °F. Boiling point 97 °F. Less dense than water and insoluble in water. Hence floats on water. Vapors are heavier than air. · Gas Vapor, Large Crystals, Liquid
Odour: Pleasant · Gasoline-like odor
Boiling point: 97 °F at 760 mmHg (NTP, 1992) · 36.06 °C
Melting point: -202 °F (NTP, 1992) · -129.67 °C
Solubility: less than 1 mg/mL at 70 °F (NTP, 1992) · In water, 38 mg/L at 25 °C
Density: 0.626 at 68 °F (USCG, 1999) - Less dense than water, will float · 0.6262 g/cu cm at 20 °C
Viscosity: 0.2224 mPa.sec at 25 °C (liquid) · 0,36 mm²/s
Colour: colourless
Odour threshold: (119-1147 ppm)
Melting/freezing point: -129.67 ℃(760 mm Hg)
Initial boiling point and range: 36.06 ℃(1 013 hPa)
Flash point: -40 ℃
Evaporation rate: 28.6
Upper/lower flammability or explosive limits: 7.8 / 1.5 %
Vapour pressure: 53.3 ㎪ (18.5℃)
Water solubility: 38.5 ㎎/ℓ (25℃)
Vapour density: 2.48
Relative density: 0.63
n-Octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow): 3.45 (25℃)
Auto-ignition temperature: 260 ℃
Decomposition temperature: 3272 (kJ/mol)
Molecular weight: 72.15

Values measured on the substance itself. The KOSHA data are a reference for writing and reviewing safety data sheets, not a specification for a commercial raw material.

Source: PubChem · KOSHA safety data sheets (Korea)

What products actually use it for

What the 34 products reported to the US EPA with this ingredient use it for. Products outside cosmetics are included, so the top few rows are its main uses.

Propellants, non-motive (blowing agents)12
Solvent6
Fuel4
Intermediate3
Plasticizer2
Swelling agent1
Flotation agent1
Sealant (barrier)1

4 other uses

Viscosity modifier1
Insulators1
Processing aids not otherwise specified1
Monomers1

Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard

Irritation and sensitisation studies

5 skin studies and 3 eye studies are on record.

Classed as low4

The study conclusions largely agree (100%). These tests are on the raw material itself; irritation at the amount in a finished product is a different question.

See all 8 studies

Not classified
Skin Sensitization · Screening
Not classified
Skin Irritation · Screening
Category 6.3B (Category 3)
Skin Irritation · Read Across
Not likely to be sensitizing
skin sensitisation: in vivo (non-LLNA) · Screening · equivalent or similar to OECD Guideline 406 (Skin Sensitisation)
Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 404 (Acute Dermal Irritation / Corrosion) equivalent or similar to EU Method B.4 (Acute Toxicity: Dermal Irritation / Corrosion) equivalent or similar to
Category 2B
Eye Irritation · Screening
Category 6.4A (Category 2A)
Eye Irritation · Read Across
Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
eye irritation: in vivo · Screening · other guideline: Guide for the Care and Use of laboratory Animals (1985) DHHS according to OECD Guideline 405 (Acute Eye Irritation / Corrosion) according to other guideline: EC Dangerous Substances Directive (67/548/EEC), Methods of Determination of Toxicity, Annex V, Part B.5 according to other guideline: Animal Welfare Act (1966) according to