Benzene, Toluene, Xylene

(BTX)

M. F. Baidoo
6.12.2018
 Benzene
• Benzene is an aromatic compound with C6H6 as he
chemical formula.
• Structures of benzene
• Most important
aromatic compound
• Colourless, volatile and toxic liquid with a sweet smell.
• Burns in air with a sooty flame.
• Insoluble in water but dissolves in organic compounds
• Boiling point: 80°C
 Benzene
• Benzene mainly undergoes substitution reactions
• It may also undergo addition reactions but only under
conditions of high temperature and pressure and the
use of catalysts.
• Chronic exposure causes neurological symptoms and
affects the bone marrow causing aplastic anemia,
excessive bleeding and damage to the immune
system.
• Benzene is a known human carcinogen.
 Toluene
• Aromatic compound with chemical formula C6H5CH3 or C7H8.
• Structural formula
• It is colourless, flammable, volatile and non-corrosive liquid.
• It is toxic and regarded as an air pollutant.
• Boiling point is 110°C
• Acute exposure to toluene leads to Central Nervous System (CNS)
dysfunction and narcosis.
• It is abused due chronic exposure leads to CNS depression, irritation of the
upper respiratory tract and eyes, sore throat, dizziness, and headache.
• Pregnant women exposed to toluene may give birth to children with
developmental effects, such attention deficits, and minor craniofacial and
limb anomalies.
 Xylene
• Xylenes (dimethylbenzenes) are an aromatic mixture composed of
three isomers (o-, m-, and p-xylene).
 PRODUCTION OF BTX
Traditional industrial production route is by Catalytic Reforming of Naphtha

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 PRODUCTION OF BTX
Alternative route of BTX production is by
1. Steam Cracking
2. Hydrodealkylation (HDA) of Toluene (Benzene)
3.Toluene Disproportionation (TDP)
4. Cyclar: converts propane and butane into aromatics TDP
developed by British Petroleum (BP) and University of Phoenix (UOP)
one plant in Saudi Arabia has been built using this new technology.

HDA 7
Applications of Benzene

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APPLICATIONS OF TOLUENE

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APPLICATIONS OF XYLENE

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