Cyclopentane (CAS 287-92-3)

Cyclopentane, with the CAS number 287-92-3, is a saturated cyclic hydrocarbon that features a five-membered ring structure. As a cycloalkane, cyclopentane is characterized by its ring of carbon atoms, each bonded with two hydrogen atoms, forming a pentagonal shape. This structure imparts unique chemical and physical properties, including a relatively low density and high flammability, typical of alkanes. In research applications, cyclopentane is primarily valued for its role as a non-polar solvent. Its ability to dissolve other non-polar compounds without participating in chemical reactions makes it an ideal medium for various organic syntheses and reactions. Additionally, cyclopentane has been utilized in the study of conformational analysis due to its dynamic ring-flipping behavior, which is a classic example in studies of molecular motion and barrier to rotation in small cyclic systems. This behavior helps chemists understand steric and electronic effects in cyclic molecules. Beyond its use as a solvent, cyclopentane′s properties are exploited in materials science, particularly in the development and testing of hydrophobic coatings and in the formulation of other specialized industrial applications where its stability under normal conditions and volatility are beneficial. Its applications in these fields are driven by its chemical inertness and the non-polar nature, making it a useful medium in various experimental and industrial settings.