Looking for a chemical with a boiling point between 10C and 50C

[Skaperen]

TL;DR Summary

i am looking for a chemical with a boiling point between 10C and 50C at standard pressure for a discussion example.

i am looking for a chemical compound that has a boiling or condensation temperature between 10C and 50C at standard pressure and is not one prohibited for discussion in the Physics Forum or any online chemical forums. something that is organic and not very toxic is preferred. it should be something that responds to microwave heating (optimal frequency being known helps). freezing/melting point should be at least 30C below the boiling point.

my purpose for this is to be part of a discussion involving the physical effects of sudden temperature changes in a medium temperature heat storage device. i will not be acquiring this material. i just wish to discuss a sensible example. too bad water requires 100C to boil as it would be a great choice if people didn't need to imagine so much energy. it will be an example in a discussion. but you know how some people are, so i don't want this to be something dangerous.

 

[DaveE]

A nearly perfect question for chat GPT.

I'll toss out ether as a candidate (with absolutely minimal thought), but... no, I haven't done your research for you. I'm sure there's something wrong with it.

BTW: Acetone was my first guess, but, nope: 56C.

 

[Skaperen]

i found Pentane is 36C.

 

[OmCheeto]

Engineering Toolbox lists quite a few.

Being not a chemist, I can only guess as to which ones fit all your criteria.
I guessed carbon disulfide, but wiki claims that it's a neurotoxin.
I thought diethyl ether might work as it used to be used as an anesthetic, but wiki claims it is also used as a starter fluid for diesel engines, so I'm guessing it's flammable.

The rest all have scary names which I wouldn't go near. But as I said, I'm not a chemist, and chemistry has always been my worst subject.

product	°C
1,2-Butadiene	10.9
Ethylamine	16.6
Hydrofluoric Acid	18.9
Acetaldehyde CH3CHO	20.8
Trichlorofluoromethane refrigerant R-11	23.8
Isopentane	27.8
1 - Pentene	30
Isoprene	34.1
Diethyl ether	34.4
Ether	34.6
n - Pentane	36
Dimethyl sulfide	37.3
Ethyl bromide C2H3Br	38.4
Methylene Chloride(CH2Cl2, dichloromethane)	39.8
Methyl iodide	42.6
Carbon Disulfide CS2	46.2
Propylamine	47.2
Carbon Bisulfide	47.8
Propanal	48
Cyclopentane	49.3
Neohexane	49.7

 

[PaulFH]

I suggest pentane, diethyl ether, chloroethane (bp 12.3 C), and dichloromethane.
Pentane and diethyl ether are highly flammable, you might want to avoid them.
Some you listed are smelly (e.g. acetaldehyde, propylamine, propanal).
Some are dangerous. Don't use hydrogen fluoride or carbon disulfide.
If I were in your place, I would use dichloromethane. I have used it myself for many years.

Recently people are saying it is carcinogenic (as are several compounds on your list).
If that is a problem, I would recommend seeing if you can use a higher bp.
Use acetone (bp 56 C), methyl t-butyl ether (bp 56 C), methyl acetate (bp 57 C),
or methanol (bp 65 C).