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Name:  Sara
Status: student
Grade: 9-12
Location:MA
Country: N/A
Date: 12/14/2005
Question:
Is there a specific structure/formula for petroleum ether/ligroin? What is it primarily composed of? My teacher said it is primarily hydrocarbon (hexanes). Is this true?

Replies:
First, petroleum ether/ligrin is not an ether ( a molecule containing --CH2--O--CH2 ) it is a hydrocarbon distillation fraction mostly C6 hydrocarbons and its isomers, but also some C5 and some C7 hydrocarbons as well.

Vince Calder


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