According to the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, pentane is an organic liquid used as an ingredient for petrol fuel and as a solvent. This chemical has some pollutant properties, but it is widely used in industrial and scientific settings.Continue Reading
While petrol itself is considered a pollutant, pentane has been used in various processes such as plastic foam filling as a replacement for other chemicals deemed more of an environmental risk, such as hydrofluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons. Although pentane itself may be damaging to wildlife, common environmental levels are not high enough to cause any harm.
According to Wikipedia, pentane has properties similar to butanes and hexanes, and it is often used to create specialty solvents for laboratory use. Due to the affordability and abundance of pentane and its volatile alkaline properties, the substance is a popular choice for laboratories. Pentane is used to dissolve non-polar compounds and often plays an important role in liquid chromatography experiments. Wikipedia notes that the industrial uses of pentane include various blowing agents used in the production of polystyrene foam. Because the substance has a low boiling point and is relatively safe, it is also used as a medium for geothermal power stations and some refrigerant blends. Additionally, pentane can be found in some commercially used pesticides.Learn more about Chemistry