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Name: Amlie L.
Status: student
Age: 15
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 2001 - 2002
Question:
Hi, I am doing a research I need to know the petroleum jelly molecular formula. I can have it either in French or English.

Replies:
Petroleum jelly isn't a single compound. It is a mixture of many different compounds. Most of the components are members of the alkane series CnH(2n+2). According to my Merck Index, petroleum jelly "is a colloidal system of nonstraight-chain solid hydrocarbons and high-boiling liquid hydrocarbons, in which most of the liquid hydrocarbons are held inside the micelles."

Richard E. Barrans Jr., Ph.D.
Assistant Director
PG Research Foundation, Darien, Illinois


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