INTRODUCTION

Name: - Isopropyl benzene (IUPAC)

Cumene (traditional)
𝐶9𝐻12

 Isopropyl benzene, commercially known as Cumene is a colourless, volatile liquid with a

gasoline-like odour.

 An aromatic ring with an aliphatic substitution of an isopropyl group.

 Cumene is a key commodity of the petrochemical industry as an intermediate for many

important products and as octane booster in gasoline blending.

 In 2011, the global cumene demand was about 12.4 million tons and in 2022, as the
market is growing in the developing countries, it is expected to reach 25 million tons.
 PROPERTIES OF CUMENE

 Molecular formula : 𝐶9𝐻12  Viscosity: 0.737 𝑚𝑃a 𝑠 𝑎𝑡 25 °𝐶

 Molar weight: 120.19 𝑔/𝑚𝑜𝑙
 Melting point: -96.9℃
 Boiling point: 152.5°C
 Flash point: 39°C
 Auto Ignition point:- 424°C
 Density: 0.862 𝑔/𝑐𝑚3 𝑎𝑡 20 °𝐶
 Volatility: 4.5 𝑚𝑚𝐻𝑔 𝑎𝑡 25 °𝐶
 Color: Colorless
 Odor: Gasoline-like, sharp, penetrating,
aromatic
 Toxic limit concentration: 250 ppm
 Solubility: 61.3 𝑚𝑔/𝐿 𝑎𝑡 25 °𝐶 in water
 Uses

• Cumene producers account for approximately 20% of the global demand for benzene.

• Cumene was first developed as a high-octane addition for engine fuels.

• Phenol and acetone are its two most important derivatives

• The by-products, alpha-methyl styrene and acetophenone, are also produced.

• Cumene in minor amounts is used as a thinner for paints, enamels and lacquers.

• Cumene is also used as a solvent for fats and raisins.

 PROCESS DESCRIPTION
• The Friedel-Crafts catalytic alkylation of benzene with propylene
• Byproduct Di-isopropyl benzene, along with traces of higher hydrocarbons.
• Propylene-propane feedstock from refinery off-gases from a naphtha-steam cracking plant is mixed with
benzene and pumped at 25 atms. . The temperature is maintained by adding cooling water to absorb the heat of
Reaction, The reactor effluent is de-propanized and the The de-propanized bottoms are separated into benzene,
cumene, and DIPB in the remaining two columns.