Alkanes, C11-13-iso- is a chemical compound, branched chain of aliphatic hydrocarbons, obtained from crude oil by various chemical processes including hydrodeoxygenation-hydroisomerisation a catalytic process that converts normal paraffin into isoparaffin. The numbers refer to the carbon atoms in the alkyl chain.

Alkanes are typically obtained from petroleum through a process called fractional distillation. This process involves heating oil to a high temperature, causing it to vaporise. The vapours are then passed through a fractionation column, where they cool and condense to different levels depending on their boiling point. The alkanes are then collected from the different levels of the column. Further purification processes can be applied to obtain specific alkanes. Note that this is a general process and may vary depending on the specific alkanes to be extracted.

Alkanes in this range are typically liquid at room temperature. They are part of the larger group of compounds known as paraffins, which are the main components of natural gas and oil. The physical state (solid, liquid or gaseous) of an alkane depends on the length of its carbon chain: shorter chains (C1 to C4) are gases, medium-length chains (C5 to C16) are liquids and longer chains (C17 and up) are waxy solids at room temperature.

What it is used for and where

Cosmetics

Solvent. It is the substance for dissolving or dispersing surfactants, oils, dyes, flavourings, bactericidal preservatives in solution.

CAS: 246538-78-3  generic

References_____________________________________________________________________

(1) Johnson Jr, W., Bergfeld, W. F., Belsito, D. V., Hill, R. A., Klaassen, C. D., Liebler, D., ... & Andersen, F. A. (2012). Safety assessment of isoparaffins as used in cosmetics. International Journal of Toxicology, 31(6_suppl), 269S-295S.