pentane

[ pen-teyn ]
/ ˈpɛn teɪn /

noun Chemistry, Pharmacology.

a hydrocarbon of the methane series, existing in three liquid isomeric forms.
Also called normal pentane. the most important isomer of pentane, a colorless, flammable, water-insoluble, very volatile liquid, C5H12, obtained from petroleum by distillation: used chiefly as a solvent and in medicine as an anesthetic.

Origin of pentane

1875–80; pent- + -ane

Words nearby pentane

pentameter, pentamethonium bromide, pentamethylene, pentamethylenediamine, pentamidine, pentane, pentangle, pentangular, pentanoic acid, pentapiperium methylsulfate, pentaploid

British Dictionary definitions for pentane

pentane
/ (ˈpɛnteɪn) /

noun

an alkane hydrocarbon having three isomers, esp the isomer with a straight chain of carbon atoms (n -pentane) which is a colourless flammable liquid used as a solvent. Formula: C 5 H 12

Scientific definitions for pentane

pentane
[ pĕn′tān′ ]

A colorless, flammable hydrocarbon derived from petroleum and used as a solvent. Pentane occurs in three isomers and is the fifth member of the alkane series. Chemical formula: C5H12.