Petroleum ether, also known as petroleum spirit, is a light petroleum product consisting of a mixture of low molecular weight hydrocarbons (primarily pentane and hexane). It appears as a colorless, transparent liquid with a kerosene-like odor. Its density ranges from approximately 0.63 to 0.66 g/mL, exhibiting weak polarity. It is often mixed with strongly polar organic solvents, insoluble in water but soluble in ethanol, benzene, chloroform, oils, and most other organic solvents. It is primarily used as a solvent and in fat processing. However, it is highly volatile and flammable, with a boiling point range between 30 to 150°C. In laboratory column chromatography, petroleum ether (PE) and ethyl acetate (EA) are commonly used as eluents. Petroleum ether is not equivalent to gasoline, and despite its name containing the word "ether," it does not actually contain oxygen and differs from true ether compounds.