Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
PROPYLENE DERIVATIVES
I
SOPROPYLBENZENE
(Commonly called “cumene”)
Uses
Almost all of the isopropylbenzene produced is used for
making phenol and acetone. The largest use of acetone is
as a chemical intermediate to methyl methacrylate and along
with phenol to make bisphenol A for preparation of
polymers. Acetone is also used widely as a solvent.
Manufacture
CH
3
CH
CH
3
OH
O
catalyst
oxygen
+
CH
2
=CH-CH
3
+
CH
3
C
CH
3
benzene
isopropylbenzene
phenol
acetone
Suppliers
Shell, Sunoco Chemical, Aristech Chemical, Georgia Gulf,
Dow Phenolchemie, Union Carbide, and others.
About a billion pounds per year of methyl methacrylate is made from
acetone, hydrogen cyanide, and methanol.
CH
3
COOCH
3
CH
3
O
CH
3
CN
CH
3
OH
H
2
SO
4
+
HCN
CH
2
C
CH
3
C
CH
3
C
OH
methyl methacrylate
The polymerization of methyl methacrylate produces poly(methyl methacry-
late), an exceptionally clear plastic sold under the names “Plexiglas” or
“Lucite” as a shatter-proof substitute for glass in windows, doors, and other
glazing applications.
