1.

Commercial application of cumene

Cumene, isopropabenzene is an important molecule in petrochemistry and is used as an
intermediary compound for the production of relevant industrial chemicals, such as phenol
and acetone. Research shows that nearly 98% of cumene is used to produce phenol and
acetone by oxidation. Phenol and acetone are the production of the cumene throughout
certain chemical processes such as alkylation of propylene. In 1960s, oxidation of
cumene which is made from benzene is the only method to produce phenol. With the high
demand of cumene, engineer are keep finding other alternative process with high purity
of cumene and phenol. By providing these evidences, cumene actually plays an important
role in industrial world.

Although there is a high demand of phenol market, cumene still can be the one which is
contribution to blending component in the gasoline pool by avoiding benzene confined in
gasoline. Due to it high octane rating, cumene can be used when the feedstocks become
undervalued relative to energy.

According to Federal State Statistics Service, the world consumed nearly 10 million
tonnes of phenol in 2011. The reason of high demand of phenol is it is the base require
to make bisphenol A(BPA), phenol formaldehyde resins and caprolactam. Nearly half of
the global consumption for phenol is to produce bisphenol-A which is used to stimulate
the growing of polycarbonate(PC) resins. PC resins are contributed to automotive
application such as glass and metal. It can also be used as glazing and sheet in sector of
security, architectural and glazing outlets. The third derivative of polycarbonate will be in
optical media area as important in compact disc(CDs) and digital versatile discs (DVDs).
Moreover, BPA can also be used as a epoxy resins(polyepoxides) which contoured to
high performance of coatings, electrical-electronic laminates, adhesives, flooring and
paving applications, and composites. Another phenol derivatives will be phenol
formaldehyde or phenolic resins which can be used in construction sector such as binders
and adhesives in structural wood panels and mineral wool construction. The third high
demand of phenol derivatives will be caprolactam which is used to make nylon 6.

As a co-product, acetone has it own function as well. Normally, acetone are used to make
methyl methacrylate(MMA) and BPA. MMA are required in homopolymers and
copolymers with electronic applications such as flat screen TVs and liquid crystal displays
providing growth opportunities. Acetone is also a solvent to make manufacture plastic
and synthesis fibre.