It is a colorless, flammable liquid, occurring primarily in the component of the petroleum distillate fraction commonly called kerosene, which is used as a heating, tractor, and jet fuel.
[4] Nonane is also used as a solvent, distillation chaser, fuel additive, and a component in biodegradable detergents.
Nonane undergoes combustion reactions that are similar to other alkanes.
In the presence of sufficient oxygen, nonane burns to form water and carbon dioxide.
When insufficient oxygen is available for complete combustion, the burning products include carbon monoxide.