Tridecane

Tridecane or n-tridecane is an alkane with the chemical formula CH3(CH2)11CH3. Tridecane is a combustible colourless liquid. In industry, they have no specific value aside from being components of various fuels and solvents. In the research laboratory, tridecane is also used as a distillation chaser. Nymphs of the southern green shield bug produce tridecane as a dispersion/aggregation pheromone, which possibly serves as a defense against predators. It is also the main component of the defensive fluid produced by the stink bug Cosmopepla bimaculata.