 |
| Identity |
| 3D Structure |
| Physicochemical data |
| Environmental fate |
| Mammal toxicology |
| Ecotoxicology |
| Metabolism |
| Safety classifications |
| Evaluation |
n-Hexane [110-54-3] |
| Mammalian biotransformation of n-hexane (1) occurs mainly in the liver and gives 2-hexanol (2) as the main metabolite. In vitro also 3-hexanol (3) and 1-hexanol (4) have been isolated. 2-Hexanol may be oxidized by alcohol dehydrogenase to 2-hexanone (6) or hydroxylated by a second cytochrome P450 catalyzed reaction to 2,5-hexanediol (5). The diol (5) and 2-hexanone (6) may be further oxidized to 5-hydroxy-2-hexnaone (7), which is the immediate precursor of the neurotoxic 2,5-hexanedione (8). Further oxidation by cytochrome P450 may result in 1,5-dihydroxy-2-hexanone (9) or 4,5-dihydroxy-2-hexanone (10), both are used as medical parameters to assess n-hexane exposition in man. After several oxidations and one decarboxylation 1,5-dihydroxy-2-hexanone (9) can be converted to gamma-valerolactone (12), which has been found as n-hexane metabolite in human urine. All hydroxylated compounds may also be excreted in urine as conjugates with glucuronide or sulfate (not shown in metabolic scheme). |
 |