Abstract

Eastman, Alan D. (Phillips Petroleum), and Mears, David E. (Unocal Corp.). This article covers the first three members of the alkane family, methane, ethane, and propane; the two isomeric butanes; the three isomeric pentanes; hexanes; and cyclohexane. Their properties, manufacture, and uses are described.Natural gas is the principal source of methanes, ethanes, and propane. Butanes are recovered from natural gas and petroleum refining streams. Pentanes occur in straight-run gasoline and certain refining streams. Hexane and cyclohexane can be obtained from crude oil. High purity cyclohexane is made by hydrogenation of benzene.Principal uses of the alkanes are as fuels and as raw materials for essential chemical intermediates, notably ethylene from ethane and propane and nylon precursors from cyclohexane.