Heptane is widely used as a non-polar solvent in laboratories and industrial applications, especially in liquid-liquid extraction and chromatography due to its ability to dissolve non-polar compounds. It serves as a standard in octane rating tests for gasoline, where it is assigned an octane number of zero because of its tendency to cause engine knocking. In organic synthesis, heptane is used as a reaction medium for processes requiring a non-reactive, non-polar environment. It is also a common component in solvents for adhesives, coatings, and cleaning agents, particularly in the automotive and printing industries. Due to its volatility and low boiling point, it is useful in controlled evaporation processes and as a carrier solvent in formulations where residue-free drying is needed.