Ethyltoluene

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Ethyltoluene describes organic compounds with the formula CH3C6H4CH2CH3. Three isomers exist: 1,2- 1,3-, and 1,4-. All are colorless liquids, immiscible in water, with similar boiling points. They are classified are aromatic hydrocarbons. The ring bears two substituents: a methyl group and an ethyl group. [1]

Cymenes
Name2-ethyltoluene3-ethyltoluene 4-Ethyltoluene
Structural formula O-Ethyltoluene.svg M-Ethyltoluene.svg P-Ethyltoluene.svg
CAS number 611-14-3620-14-4622-96-8
melting point (°C)−80.8−95.5−62.3
boiling point (°C)165161.3162

Production and reactions

Ethyltoluenes are prepared by alkylation of toluene with ethylene:

CH3C6H5 + CH2=CH2 → CH3C6H4CH2CH3

These alkylations are catalyzed by various Lewis acids, such as aluminium trichloride.

3- and 4-Ethyltoluenes are mainly of interest as precursors to methylstyrenes:

CH3C6H4CH2CH3 → CH3C6H4CH=CH2 + H2

This dehydrogenation is conducted in the presence of zinc oxide catalysts. [1]

References

  1. 1 2 Schmidt, Roland; Griesbaum, Karl; Behr, Arno; Biedenkapp, Dieter; Voges, Heinz-Werner; Garbe, Dorothea; Paetz, Christian; Collin, Gerd; Mayer, Dieter; Höke, Hartmut (2014). "Hydrocarbons". Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. pp. 1–74. doi:10.1002/14356007.a13_227.pub3. ISBN   9783527306732.


Benzene balls.png

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