Why is isooctane critical in gasoline?
Isooctane is the standard reference for octane rating (RON 100). Its highly branched structure provides exceptional antiknock properties, preventing premature fuel combustion ("knocking") in high-compression engines. For example, 95# gasoline has an antiknock performance equivalent to 95% isooctane and 5% heptane
What are its industrial applications?
Fuel Additive: Essential for high-octane gasoline and aviation fuel.
Solvent: Used in paints, coatings, and precision equipment cleaning due to low residue and volatility.
Chemical Synthesis: Intermediate for producing isooctanol, esters, and pharmaceuticals.
Chromatography: Reference standard in gas chromatography (GC)
How does isooctane differ from n-octane?
- Structure: Isooctane has a branched structure, while n-octane is a straight-chain hydrocarbon.
- Antiknock Performance: Isooctane’s compact structure resists combustion under pressure better than n-octane.
- Thermal Stability: Isooctane decomposes slower than n-octane, producing isobutylene as a primary pyrolysis product.
