Eicosane

Eicosane, also commonly spelled icosane, is an alkane or a hydrocarbon with the chemical formula H₂₀C₄₂. It has 366,319 structural isomers. Its high flash point makes it a hard to light fuel, so it is not much use in the petrochemical industry. However, an isomer of eicosane, n-Eicosane (the straight-chain structural isomer of eicosane) is the shortest compound found in paraffin waxes (C_nH_2n+2, where [math]\displaystyle{ n = \mathbb {Z} = {[20,40]} }[/math]) used to form candles. Eicosane's phase transition at a moderate temperature makes it a candidate for PCM, which is used to store thermal energy and control temperature.

Eicosane
Preferred IUPAC name Icosane
Other names	n-Eicosane
Identifiers
CAS number	112-95-8
PubChem	8222
EC number	204-018-1
MeSH	eicosane
ChEBI	CHEBI:43619
SMILES	CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC
Beilstein Reference	1700722
Properties
Molecular formula	C20H42
Molar mass	282.55 g mol-1
Appearance	Colorless, waxy crystals
Odor	Odorless
Melting point	°C, 309 to 311 K,  °F
Boiling point
log P	10.897
kH	31 μmol Pa−1 kg−1
Thermochemistry
Standard molar entropy So298	558.6 J K−1 mol−1
Specific heat capacity, C	602.5 J K−1 mol−1 (at 6.0 °C)
Hazards
NFPA 704	1 0 0
Flash point	>
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)

Eicosane is a non-polar molecule: quite unreactive except when it burns (see the NFPA Diamond in the infobox). It is also way less dense than insoluble in water. This also means it shares properties with its smaller alkaline counterparts.

Eicosane can also be detected in the body odor of people diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease.

The compound is found in the highest concentrations in plants such as Mexican ageratum, licorice, and the Bayrum tree.