Rizal Technological University

College of Education
S.Y. 2021-2022

ORGANIC CHEMISTRY

BENZENE AND OTHER AROMATIC

HYDROCARBONS

SUBMITTED BY:
PHOEBIE AJ M. BRAVO
CED-10-301A

SUBMITTED TO:
RIZALDY GARCIA
 Benzene is largely utilized as a feedstock, or raw material, in the production of other
industrial chemicals such ethylbenzene, cumene, and cyclohexane. In the chemical and
pharmaceutical sectors, benzene is also utilized as a solvent. The majority of benzene exposure
occurs in the air from a variety of sources, including forest fires, automobile exhaust, and
gasoline from filling stations. Cigarette smoke contains a significant amount of benzene, which
is a primary cause of exposure. Benzene levels in fruits, vegetables, nuts, dairy products, eggs,
and fish have been shown to be extremely low. Most people are only exposed to trace levels of
benzene through water and food. Benzene is the base chemical for many of the modern-day
‘plastics’ including nylon and polycarbonate among others. It holds an important position in the
poly carbon manufacturing business and without it, we would not have epoxy or polystyrene. It
has a downside in that it is highly flammable and a suspected carcinogen when in gaseous form.

Benzene, as a building block chemical, is reacted with other chemicals to form a wide
range of different chemistries, materials, and, ultimately, consumer goods. Benzene is used to
produce other compounds such as ethylbenzene, cumene, and cyclohexane, which are then
reacted and utilized to produce a wide range of materials and polymers such as polystyrene,
ABS, and nylon. The process that begins with the benzene molecule and concludes with a
finished substance or consumer product may include several phases. For instance, benzene is a
building block that is used to create ethylbenzene, which is then used to create styrene, which is
then used to create polystyrene. Polystyrene, the final product, is a completely different chemical
material than benzene. When benzene is used as a building block or intermediary in a consumer
product, it is normally thoroughly reacted in a closed system, with little to no benzene left in the
end consumer product. Benzene is also used in the manufacture of various lubricants, rubbers,
dyes, detergents, medicines, explosives, and insecticides. Benzene is present naturally in crude
oil. Crude oil is processed into gasoline at a refinery by utilizing heat, pressure, and chemicals to
separate the spectrum of petroleum products from crude oil. The refining process produces
gasoline as well as a variety of other petroleum products such as diesel and jet fuels, solvents,
and lubricating oils, many of which include trace levels of benzene.

Since benzene is very volatile, the majority of exposure occurs through breathing. In the
high atmosphere, benzene degrades fast. Because of its solubility in water, a trace quantity may
be washed away by rain, contaminating surface waterways and soil. However, it is not persistent
in surface water or soil, volatilizing returning to the atmosphere or being destroyed by
microorganisms. Benzene is toxic to the bone marrow and can induce a reduction in red blood
cells, resulting in anemia. It can also induce excessive bleeding and weaken the immune system,
making infection more likely. Human exposure to benzene has been associated with a range of
acute and long-term adverse health effects and diseases, including cancer and aplastic anemia.
Exposure can occur occupationally and domestically as a result of the ubiquitous use of
benzene-containing petroleum products, including motor fuels and solvents. Active and passive
exposure to tobacco smoke is also a significant source of exposure. Benzene is highly volatile,
and exposure occurs mostly through inhalation.1–3 Public health actions are needed to reduce
the exposure of both workers and the general population to benzene.

OTHER AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS

Naphthalene

Naphthalene is used in the manufacture of phthalic anhydride, as well as in mothballs.

Acute (short-term) naphthalene exposure in humans by inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact
has been linked to hemolytic anemia, liver damage, and brain impairment. In addition, cataracts
have been documented in

Workers who were acutely exposed to naphthalene by inhalation and ingestion Chronic
(long-term) naphthalene exposure in employees and rodents has been linked to cataracts and
retinal impairment. Infants born to moms who "sniffed" and consumed naphthalene (as
mothballs) during pregnancy have been documented to have hemolytic anemia. The data
available are insufficient to show a link between naphthalene exposure and cancer in people. The
EPA has classed naphthalene as a Group C, possibly carcinogenic to humans.
 Trinitrotoluene

Trinitrotoluene (TNT) (118-96-7) is a powerful explosive that is employed in military and

industrial applications. It is also used as a precursor in the synthesis of dyes and photography
chemicals. Exposure can occur by ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact. TNT was also
discovered to be oxidized oxyhemoglobin, leading in the creation of methemoglobin. It can
cause dermatitis as well as eye, nose, throat, and skin irritation. TNT stains the skin orange and
yellow and is easily absorbed through the skin, especially when wet. High levels of exposure can
induce fatigue, anemia, headaches, liver damage, and central nervous system damage. TNT has
the potential to cause cancer in humans. Methylene blue should be used in conjunction with
oxygen treatment. Large amounts of water should be irrigated on contaminated skin or eyes.

Methylbenzene

Over 50% of the methylbenzene (toluene) produced in the refinery is converted into
benzene by dealkylation and disproportionation.

Methylbenzene is also used to make TDI (toluene diisocyanate or methylbenzene diisocyanate),

one of the reagents used to make polyurethanes. It is also widely used as a solvent, for example,
for alkyd polymers (resins) used in paints. Toluene is a solvent as well. The expression "as a
solvent," which appears frequently when describing the usage of chemicals, encompasses a wide
range of applications. The dissolved ingredient is frequently organic as well, and the method is
employed in coatings, adhesives, textiles, medicines, inks, photographic film, and metal
degreasing. Dry cleaning is one application that reaches the end-user (although the solvent used
here is not toluene, but other hydrocarbons or chlorohydrocarbons).

The toluene vapors irritate the eyes and upper respiratory tract; cause dizziness,
headache, anesthesia, respiratory arrest. Liquid irritates the eyes and causes drying of the skin. If
aspirated, causes coughing, gagging, distress, and rapidly developing pulmonary edema. If
ingested causes vomiting, griping, diarrhea, depressed respiration.