Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
PROPYLENE DERIVATIVES
Ammonia, oxy
gen
=
CH
2
CHCN (acrylonitrile)
OH
Water, H
2
SO
4
CH
3
CHCH
3
(isopropanol)
O
Chlorine
=
CH
2
CHCH
2
Cl (allyl chloride)
CH
2
CH
CH
2
Cl
(epichlorohydrin)
O
Chlorine, wat
er
CH
3
CH
=
CH
2
(propylene)
CH
3
CH
CH
2
(propylene oxide)
Oxygen
O
2
=
CH
2
CH
CHO
(acrolein)
=
CH
2
CH COOH
(acrylic acid)
CH
3
Propylene
x
(polypropylene)
(CH
2
CH)
CH
3
O
Benzene
O
2
CH (isopropylbenzene)
CH
3
CCH
3
(acetone)
CH
3
The main use of propylene is for
polymerization
to polypropylene, a process
similar to the manufacture of high-density polyethylene (i.e., a low-pressure,
catalytic process). Textile fibers made from polypropylene are relatively low-
cost and have particularly good properties, such as high resistance to abrasion
and soiling for use in furniture upholstery and indoor/outdoor carpeting.
Three major non-polymer propylene derivatives are isopropanol, acetone,
and acrylic acid. Isopropanol (isopropyl alcohol) is used mainly as a solvent.
It has been made from propylene by reaction with sulfuric acid and water
for at least the last 75 years, making its manufacture the oldest, still-running
commercial organic chemical process. It is used in household rubbing alcohol
because, unlike ethanol, it is unfit for human consumption even in small
amounts. About 25% of the isopropanol produced is used for making acetone,
in competition with a route based on isopropylbenzene.
