Diethylbenzenes

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Diethylbenzenes
Diethylbenzenes.png
The three isomers of diethylbenzene:
ortho-, meta-, and para-diethylbenzene
(left to right)
Identifiers
ECHA InfoCard 100.042.599 OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
EC Number
  • 1,2: 205-170-1
    1,3: 205-511-4
    1,4: 203-265-2
PubChem CID
RTECS number
  • CZ5600000
UNII
UN number 2049
Properties
C10H14
Molar mass 134.22
Density 0.87 g/mL
Hazards
Flash point 134.6 °F / 57 °C
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).

Diethylbenzene (DEB) refers to any of three isomers with the formula C6H4(C2H5)2. Each consists of a benzene ring and two ethyl substituents. The meta and para have the greater commercial significance. All are colorless liquids. [1]

Contents

Nomenclature

Production and applications

Diethylbenzenes arise as side-products of the alkylation of benzene with ethylene, which can be described as two steps. The first step is the industrial route to ethylbenzene, which is produced on a large scale as a precursor to styrene.

C6H6 + C2H4 → C6H5C2H5

The diethylbenzene is an inadvertent side product.

C6H5C2H5 + C2H4 → C6H4(C2H5)2

Using shape-selective zeolite catalysts, the para isomer can be produced in high selectivity.

Much diethylbenzene is recycled by transalkylation to give ethylbenzene: [1]

C6H4(C2H5)2 + C6H6 → 2 C6H5C2H5

Uses

Diethylbenzene is used in a mixture with methyl and/or ethyl biphenyls as a low temperature heat transfer fluid. [2]

Diethylbenzene is dehydrogenated to give divinylbenzene (DVB):

C6H4(C2H5)2 → C6H4(C2H3)2 + 2 H2

DVB is used in the production of crosslinked polystyrene. [3]

Related Research Articles

In chemistry, a hydration reaction is a chemical reaction in which a substance combines with water. In organic chemistry, water is added to an unsaturated substrate, which is usually an alkene or an alkyne. This type of reaction is employed industrially to produce ethanol, isopropanol, and butan-2-ol.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cumene process</span> Industrial process

The cumene process is an industrial process for synthesizing phenol and acetone from benzene and propylene. The term stems from cumene, the intermediate material during the process. It was invented by R. Ūdris and P. Sergeyev in 1942 (USSR), and independently by Heinrich Hock in 1944.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ethyl group</span> Chemical group (–CH₂–CH₃)

In organic chemistry, an ethyl group is an alkyl substituent with the formula −CH2CH3, derived from ethane. Ethyl is used in the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry's nomenclature of organic chemistry for a saturated two-carbon moiety in a molecule, while the prefix "eth-" is used to indicate the presence of two carbon atoms in the molecule.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chloroethane</span> Chemical compound commonly known as ethyl chloride

Chloroethane, commonly known as ethyl chloride, is a chemical compound with chemical formula CH3CH2Cl, once widely used in producing tetraethyllead, a gasoline additive. It is a colorless, flammable gas or refrigerated liquid with a faintly sweet odor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Epoxide</span> Organic compounds with a carbon-carbon-oxygen ring

In organic chemistry, an epoxide is a cyclic ether, where the ether forms a three-atom ring: two atoms of carbon and one atom of oxygen. This triangular structure has substantial ring strain, making epoxides highly reactive, more so than other ethers. They are produced on a large scale for many applications. In general, low molecular weight epoxides are colourless and nonpolar, and often volatile.

In organic chemistry, dihydroxybenzenes (benzenediols) are organic compounds in which two hydroxyl groups are substituted onto a benzene ring. These aromatic compounds are classed as phenols. There are three structural isomers: 1,2-dihydroxybenzene is commonly known as catechol, 1,3-dihydroxybenzene is commonly known as resorcinol, and 1,4-dihydroxybenzene is commonly known as hydroquinone.

<i>o</i>-Xylene Chemical compound

o-Xylene (ortho-xylene) is an aromatic hydrocarbon with the formula C6H4(CH3)2, with two methyl substituents bonded to adjacent carbon atoms of a benzene ring (the ortho configuration). It is a constitutional isomer of m-xylene and p-xylene, the mixture being called xylene or xylenes. o-Xylene is a colourless slightly oily flammable liquid.

<i>m</i>-Xylene Chemical compound

m-Xylene (meta-xylene) is an aromatic hydrocarbon. It is one of the three isomers of dimethylbenzene known collectively as xylenes. The m- stands for meta-, indicating that the two methyl groups in m-xylene occupy positions 1 and 3 on a benzene ring. It is in the positions of the two methyl groups, their arene substitution pattern, that it differs from the other isomers, o-xylene and p-xylene. All have the same chemical formula C6H4(CH3)2. All xylene isomers are colorless and highly flammable.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Divinylbenzene</span> Organic compound, C₆H₄(CH=CH₂)₂

Divinylbenzene (DVB) is an organic compound with the chemical formula C6H4(CH=CH2)2 and structure H2C=CH−C6H4−HC=CH2. It is related to styrene by the addition of a second vinyl group. It is a colorless liquid manufactured by the thermal dehydrogenation of isomeric diethylbenzenes. Under synthesis conditions, o-divinylbenzene converts to naphthalene and thus is not a component of the usual mixtures of DVB.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Durene</span> Chemical compound

Durene, or 1,2,4,5-tetramethylbenzene, is an organic compound with the formula C6H2(CH3)4. It is a colourless solid with a sweet odor. The compound is classified as an alkylbenzene. It is one of three isomers of tetramethylbenzene, the other two being prehnitene (1,2,3,4-tetramethylbenzene) and isodurene (1,2,3,5-tetramethylbenzene). Durene has an unusually high melting point (79.2 °C), reflecting its high molecular symmetry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indane</span> Chemical compound

Indane or indan is an organic compound with the formula C9H10. It is a colorless liquid hydrocarbon. It is a petrochemical, a bicyclic compound. It occurs at the level of about 0.1% in coal tar. It is usually produced by hydrogenation of indene.

Mononitrotoluene or nitrotoluene (MNT or NT), is any of three organic compounds with the formula C6H4(CH3)(NO2). They can be viewed as nitro derivatives of toluene or as methylated derivatives of nitrobenzene.

In chemistry, carbonylation refers to reactions that introduce carbon monoxide (CO) into organic and inorganic substrates. Carbon monoxide is abundantly available and conveniently reactive, so it is widely used as a reactant in industrial chemistry. The term carbonylation also refers to oxidation of protein side chains.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2-Ethylanthraquinone</span> Intermediate Chemical in H2O2 Synthesis

2-Ethylanthraquinone is an organic compound that is a derivative of anthraquinone. This pale yellow solid is used in the industrial production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phthalonitrile</span> Chemical compound

Phthalonitrile is an organic compound with the formula C6H4(CN)2, which is an off-white crystal solid at room temperature. It is a derivative of benzene, containing two adjacent nitrile groups. The compound has low solubility in water but is soluble in common organic solvents. The compound is used as a precursor to phthalocyanine and other pigments, fluorescent brighteners, and photographic sensitizers.

In organic chemistry, transalkylation is a chemical reaction involving the transfer of an alkyl group from one organic compound to another. The reaction is used for the transfer of methyl and ethyl groups between benzene rings. This is of particular value in the petrochemical industry to manufacture p-xylene, styrene, and other aromatic compounds. Motivation for using transalkylation reactions is based on a difference in production and demand for benzene, toluene, and xylenes. Transalkylation can convert toluene, which is overproduced, into benzene and xylene, which are under-produced. Zeolites are often used as catalysts in transalkylation reactions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">4-Ethyltoluene</span> Chemical compound

4-Ethyltoluene is an organic compound with the formula CH3C6H4C2H5. It is one of three isomers of ethyltoluene, the other two isomers being 3-ethyltoluene and 2-ethyltoluene. All are colorless liquids and all are used for the production of specialty polystyrenes.

The diisopropylbenzenes(DIPB) are organic compounds with the formula C6H4(CH(CH3)2)2. Three isomers exist: 1,2- 1,3-, and 1,4-diisopropylbenzene. All are colorless liquids, immiscible in water, with similar boiling points. They are classified are aromatic hydrocarbons bearing a pair of isopropyl (CH(CH3)2) substituents. DIPB has been referred to as "a common diluent" alongside hexane.

<i>o</i>-Cymene Organic compound

o-Cymene is an organic compound classified as an aromatic hydrocarbon. Its structure consists of a benzene ring ortho-substituted with a methyl group and an isopropyl group. It is a flammable colorless liquid which is nearly insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents.

<i>m</i>-Cymene Organic compound

m-Cymene is an organic compound classified as an aromatic hydrocarbon. Its structure consists of a benzene ring meta-substituted with a methyl group and an isopropyl group. It is a flammable colorless liquid which is nearly insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents.

References

  1. 1 2 Karl Griesbaum; Arno Behr; Dieter Biedenkapp; Heinz-Werner Voges; Dorothea Garbe; Christian Paetz; Gerd Collin; Dieter Mayer; Hartmut Höke (2002). "Hydrocarbons". Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH. doi:10.1002/14356007.a13_227. ISBN   3-527-30673-0.
  2. Buske, Gary R.; Wenger, Terry L.; Beyrau, John A. (Nov 11, 1986), Heat-transfer fluid , retrieved 2016-06-30
  3. Denis H. James William M. Castor, "Styrene" in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 2005. doi:10.1002/14356007.a25_329.pub2.