Cymene

Name:
Cymene
Detailed information:

Chemistry name:	cymol; isopropyltoluene; methylpropylbenzene
CAS:	535-77-3
CAS:	527-84-4
CAS:	99-87-6
CAS:	25155-15
M Formula:	CH3C6H4CH(CH3)2
Properties:
Colorless, transparent liquids with aromatic odor. Combustible. D: o- 0.8748, m- 0.862, p- 0.8551. Fp: o- −71C, m- −64C, p- −68C. Bp:o- 177C, m- 175.6C, p- 176.5C. Refr index: p- 1.489 (20C). Soluble in alcohol, ether, and chloroform; insoluble in water. Flash p (p-) 127F (51C) (CC).
Derivation:
Mixed cymenes are produced from toluene by alkylation. p-Cymene occurs in several essential oils and is made from monocyclic terpenes by dehydrogenation. These terpenes can be made from turpentine or obtained as a by-product from the sulfite digestion of spruce pulp in paper manufacture.
Method of purification:
Washing with sulfuric acid, water, and alkali.
Grade:
Technical.
Hazard:
Moderate fire risk. Moderately toxic by ingestion.
Use:
Solvents, synthetic-resin manufacture, metal polishes, organic synthesis (oxidation to hydroperoxides used as catalysts for synthetic-rubber manufacture; cymene alcohols are made by hydrogenating the hydroperoxides). Pure p-cresol and carvacrol are made from p-cymene.

The o-, m-, and p-isomers are known.