Eicosane

Eicosane (also known by the IUPAC name icosane or as didecyl) is an alkane hydrocarbon with the chemical formula CH3(CH2)18CH3.

Eicosane has little use in the petrochemical industry, as its high flash point makes it an inefficient fuel. Due to its chemical inactivity, n-eicosane (a fully straight-chain structural isomer of eicosane) is part of the paraffin group, and is the shortest molecule in the compounds used to form candles.

Eicosane's size, state or chemical inactivity does not exclude it from the traits its smaller alkane counterparts have. It is colourless, less dense than water, a non-polar molecule, nearly non-reactive with any other atom or molecule unless combusted, and insoluble in water. Its non-polar trait means it can only perform weak hydrogen intermolecular bonding (Hydrophobic/Van der Waal's forces).

Eicosane's phase transition at a moderate temperature makes it a candidate phase change material, or PCM which can be used to store thermal energy and control temperature.