CHAPTER I

BACKGROUND OF CUMENE

1.1

INTRODUCTION

Cumene is the common name for isopropylbenzene or i-propylbenzene. Its IUPAC name known as (1-methylethyl benzene. Cumene is an or!anic compoun" that is base" on an aromatic hy"rocarbon with an aliphatic substitution an" its molecular formula is C #$1%. &ikewise the structural formula for cumene is as shown in the fi!ure 1.1.

'i!ure 1.1 (tructural formula of Cumene )efrence* (treitwieser+ A, $eathcock+ C.$. (1##% . -./-. Intro"uction to 0r!anic Chemistry. 1osower+ 2.3. (4th e". . 5ew 6ork* 3ac3illan. p. 1/17

1.2

PROPERTIES OF CUMENE

Physically cumene is a colourless li8ui" in alkyl aromatic family with sharp an" !asolinelike o"or. It is flammable an" soluble in nonpolar sol9ents such as alcohol+ carbon tetrachlori"e+ benzene+ ether+ an" many other or!anic sol9ents but insoluble in water.

:elow are the main properties of Cumene+ ;able 1.1 Properties of Cumene Properties 3olecular wei!ht :oilin! Point+ C 'reezin! point+ C >ensity+ !?cm. <iscosity+ mPa.s ;hermal con"ucti9ity+ w?m.k 'lash point+ C Critical temperature+ C $eat of 9apourisation at bp+ A?! $eat of 9apourisation at %=C+ A?! $eat capacity+ A?mol.1 $eat of combustion at %=C+ A?! )efrences* ($(>:+ 1##1, 3erck+ 1#7#, U.(. 2PA+ 1##4a <alue 1%/.1# 1=%..# -#@./. /.74=/ /.@1% /.1%4 44 .=1.4 .1% .@B 1#B 4.+.B/

1.3

ROUTES TO MANUFACTURE CUMENE

Althou!h cumene is a naturally occurrin! substance present in coal tar an" petroleum+ most in"ustrial cumene is synthesize" from benzene an" propylene. Cumene is pro"uce" by reactin! propylene an" benzene o9er an aci" catalyst. Cumene may be use" to increase the octane in !asoline+ but its primary use is as a fee"stock for manufacturin! phenol an" acetone. ;he reactions for cumene pro"uction from benzene an" propylene are* C.$@ C C@$@ C@$= - C.$B Cumene

(1.1

Propylene :enzene

1.4

USAGE OF CUMENE

Cumene ha9e 8uiet amount of usa!e. :elow are the usa!e of cumene*
1. Cumene is use" for the pro"uction of phenol an" its co-pro"uct acetone. ;he

cumene oDi"ation process for phenol synthesis has been !rowin! in popularity since the 1#@/s an" is prominent to"ay. ;he first step of this process is the formation of cumene hy"roperoDi"e. ;he hy"roperoDi"e is then selecti9ely clea9e" to phenol an" acetone. Phenol in its 9arious formal"ehy"e resins to bon" construction materials like plywoo" an" composition boar" for the bisphenol A employe" in makin! epoDy resins an" polycarbonate an" for caprolactum+ the startin! material for nylon-@. 3inor amounts are use" for alkylphenols an" pharmacuticals.
2. 3ethylstyrene is pro"uce" in controlle" 8uantities from the clea9a!e of cumene

hy"roperoDi"e+ or it can be ma"e "irectly by the "ehy"ro!enation of cumene.

3. Cumene in minor amounts is use" as a thinner for paints+ enamels an" lac8uers

an" to pro"uce acetophenone+ the chemical interme"iate "icumylperoDi"e an" "iiso propyl benzene.

4. Cumene is also use" as a sol9ent for fats an" raisins.

)efrence* >eEitt F Co Eorl" Petrochemical Conference+ %4-%= 3arch %/1/

1.5

CONCLUSION

Cumene is also known as isopropylbenzene. Physically cumene is a colourless li8ui"+ flammable an" insoluble in water. Cumene is pro"uce" by reactin! propylene an" benzene o9er an aci" catalyst. It is wi"ely use" for the pro"uction of phenol+ then for the pro"uction of methylstyrene an" also in makin! thinner.