Both substances are used as industrial cleaners.

Heptane can be used as an outdoor stove fuel, rubber cement, and some paints and coatings. Heptane is also used in anesthetics, cement, ingredients, inks, laboratory reagents, organic synthesis, and as a general purpose laboratory solvent.

Heptane and hexane are often used to extract vegetable oils from seeds and plants. Hexane is most commonly used for this purpose.

Hexane residues are sometimes found on certain vegetables, such as soy foods, but in negligible amounts and are non-toxic when ingested.

Compared to the traditional method of extracting soybean oil or other oils using a mechanical press, it is more cost-effective and environmentally friendly to extract oil using hexane. This is why the risk is worth the reward when using hexane instead of the press method.

Pure hexane is not used to extract vegetable oil, but is used in mixtures containing isomers of commercial grade hexane (hexane sds).

Safe handling of heptane and hexane

 heptane and hexane should be used in a well-ventilated area.

 causes skin irritation.

 may cause drowsiness or dizziness.

 Long-term exposure is toxic to organs.

 toxic to aquatic life.