Uses of Aromatic Hydrocarbons Sub Topics Introduction to hydrocarbons: The term aromatic (aroma=fragrance) was once used to describe

a group of compounds with characteristic pleasant odor. The aromatic compounds are a group of compounds which have a set of characteristic chemical properties. Aromatic hydrocarbons or arenes are the compounds of carbon and hydrogen which contain at least one benzene like ring. All the hydrocarbons obey the general formula CnH2n-6y where y is the number of rings in the molecule. For example in benzene, n=6 and y=1 and the formula is C6H6. In naphthalene n=10 and y=2 and the formula is C10H8. Some other examples of aromatic hydrocarbons are toluene (C6H5-CH3), xylene (C6H4-(CH3)2) and ethyl benzene (C6H5-C2H5).

Source of Aromatic Hydrocarbon

The parent compound benzene was first isolated by Faraday in 1825 from the gas obtained by pyrolysis of whale oil. Petroleum and coal tar- a black viscous liquid which contains a variety of aromatic hydrocarbons

Uses of Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Benzene:

It is used as a solvent for fats, resins, grease, rubber etc. It is used as a motor fuel under the name benzol. It is used in the preparation of pesticides like gammexeane. It is used in the dry cleaning of woolen clothes. Benzene is used as a starting material for the production of dyes, drugs, plastics, perfumes and explosives. It is used in the manufacture of nitrobenzene, chlorobenzene, phenol, styrene etc

Toluene:

It is used as a solvent for fats, oils, paints, gumsand resins. It is used in the manufacture of dyes, drugs, plastics, perfumes and explosives like (TNT). It is used in the preparation of benzyl chloride, benzyl alcohol, benzaldehyde and benzoic acid. It is used in the manufacture of saccharin (sweetening sugar). It is used as a motor fuel (mixed with petrol) or for blending petrol because of its high antiknock values

Xylene:

A mixture of xylene as such is used as a solvent and diluents for Iacquers O-xylene is the raw material for the manufacture of phthalic anhydride.

Benzaldehyde:

It is used in the flavoring agent. It is used in perfumes. It is used in the manufacture of triphenylmethane dyes Used in the synthesis of ,-unnaturated acids and aldehydes.

Acetophenone:

It is used in perfumery products Used as a sleep producing drug, hypnone.

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