Ligroin is the petroleum fraction consisting mostly of C7 and C8 hydrocarbons and boiling in the range 90‒140 °C (194–284 °F). The fraction is also called heavy naphtha.[1][2] Ligroin is used as a laboratory solvent. Products under the name ligroin can have boiling ranges as low as 60‒80 °C and may be called light naphtha.[3]
| Names | |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name Ligroin | |
| Identifiers | |
| UNII | |
| Properties | |
| Boiling point | 90–140 °C (194–284 °F) |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
The name ligroin (or ligroine or ligroïne) appeared as early as 1866.[note 1]
Standards
Ligroin is assigned the CAS Registry Number 8032-32-4, which is also applied to many other products, particularly the lower boiling ones, called petroleum spirit, petroleum ether and petroleum benzine.[3]
Use as fuel
Ligroin was used to refuel the world's first production automobile, the Benz Patent-Motorwagen, on a long distance journey between Mannheim and Pforzheim. Bertha Benz added ligroin to the vehicle at a pharmacy in Wiesloch, making it the first filling station in history.
The first functional diesel engine could also run on ligroin.[4]
See also
References
- Budavari, Susan, ed. (1990). The Merck index an encyclopedia of chemicals, drugs, and biologicals (11th. ed., 2. print. ed.). Rahway, NJ: Merck. p. 864. ISBN 091191028X.