2.PROPERTIES AND USES Cumene is a colourless liquid, soluble in alcohol, carbon tetra chloride, ether and benzene.

It is insoluble in water. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF CUMENE PROPERTY Molecular weight Boiling Point, C Freezing point, C Density, g/cm3 0C 20C 40C Refractive Index ND20 Thermal conductivity, w/m.k 25C Viscosity, mPa.s (=cp) 0C 20C 40C Surface tension, mN/m 20C Flash point, C Autoignition temperature, C
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VALUE 120.19 152.39 -96.03

0.8786 0.8169 0.8450

1.4915

0.124

1.076 0.791 0.612

0.791 44 523

Vapour Pressure, Kpa Viscosity, mPa.s (=cp) 35C 100C 120C 140C 180C Antoine Constants A B C Flammable limits in air, vol% Lower Upper 0.9 6.5 13.99 3400 207.78 1 19 37 68 185

THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES OF CUMENE PROPERTY Relative molar mass Critical temperature, C Critical pressure, Kpa Critical density, g/ cm3 Heat of vapourisation at bp, J/g Heat of vapourisation at 25C, J/g Heat of formation, J/mol
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VALUE 120.2 351.4 3220 0.280 312 367

Liquid at 25C Free energy, J/mol Vapour at 25C Heat of combustion at constant pressure and 25C, J/g Gross (product water as liquid) Net (product water as vapour) Heat capacity, J/mol.K Ideal vapour at 25C Liquid at 25C Odor threshold, PPmv Threshold limit value, PPmv

- 44,150

137,000

43,370 41,170

153 197 1.2 50

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES: 1. Cumeme undergoes oxidation to give cumene hydroperoxide by means of air or oxygen C6H5CH(CH3)2 + O2 Cumeme Oxygen = C6H5C(CH3)2OOH Cumene Hydroperoxide

2. By the catalytic action of dilute sulphuric acid, cumene hydroperoxide is split into phenol and acetone C6H5C(CH3)200H Cumene Hydroperoxide = C6H5OH Phenol + CH3COCH3 Acetone

USES: Cumene is used

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1. As feed back for the production of Phenol and its co-product acetone 2. The cumene oxidation process for phenol synthesis has been growing in popularity since the 1960s and is prominent today. The first step of this process is the formation of cumene hydroperoxide. The hydroperoxide is then selectively cleaved to Phenol and acetone. 3. Phenol in its various formaldehyde resins to bond construction materials like plywood and composition board (40% of the phenol produced) for the bisphenol A employed in making epoxy resins and polycarbonate (30%) and for caprolactum, the starting material for nylon-6 (20%). Minor amounts are used for alkylphenols and pharmacuticals. 4. The largest use for acetone is in solvents although increasing amounts are used to make bisphenol A and methylacrylate. 5. - Methylstyrene is produced in controlled quantities from the cleavage of cumene hydroperoxide, or it can be made directly by the dehydrogenation of cumene. 6. Cumene in minor amounts is used as a thinner for paints, enamels and lacquers and to produce acetophenone, the chemical intermediate dicumylperoxide and diiso propyl benzene. 7. Cumene is also used as a solvent for fats and raisins.