Ethylbenzene

Infobox on Ethylbenzene
Example of Ethylbenzene
Facts
Origin	-
Stowage factor (in m3/t)	-
Humidity / moisture	-
Ventilation	-
Risk factors	See text

Ethylbenzene

Description / Application

Ethylbenzene is a clear, flammable liquid with a gasoline-like odour. It is naturally present in petroleum. Ethylbenzene is used mainly for the production of styrene. It is also used in the manufacture of dyes, rubber adhesives, paints and varnishes, as a constituent in asphalt and naptha, and it is added to gasoline up to 2 percent by weight. The odour threshold for ethylbenzene in water is reported to be between 0.3 and 0.14 parts per million (ppm); the reported odour threshold in air is 2.3 ppm.

Ethylbenzene is a volatile organic compound (VOC) in the ‘BTEX’ substance group which includes benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene. Ethylbenzene is a colourless liquid that smells similar to gasoline. It exists naturally in petroleum, and is also an industrial chemical with a variety of uses.

Ethylbenzene is an organic compound with the formula C6H5CH2CH3. This aromatic hydrocarbon is important in the petrochemical industry as an intermediate in the production of styrene, which in turn is used for making polystyrene, a common plastic material. Ethylbenzene has been used as a solvent for aluminium bromide in the anhydrous electrodeposition of aluminium. Ethylbenzene is also an ingredient in some paints, and solvent grade xylene (xylol) is nearly always contaminated with a few percent of ethylbenzene.

Derivation is by heating benzene and ethylene in the presence of aluminium chloride with subsequent distillation, by fractionation directly from the mixed xylene stream in petroleum refining.

Shipment / Storage

Ethylbenzene is a colourless liquid with an aromatic odour; vapour heavier than air.

Boiling point: 136°C
Flash point: 15°C

It is soluble in alcohol, benzene, carbon tetrachloride and ether; almost insoluble in water.

Risk factors

Toxic by ingestion, inhalation and skin absorption; irritant to skin and eyes. Flammable, dangerous fire risk. TLV: 100 ppm in air.

Ethylbenzene has been classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans. Available epidemiological studies do not provide adequate evidence of carcinogenicity in humans, however animal studies show an increase in lung and liver cancers in mice and kidney cancers in rats exposed to ethylbenzene.

Additionally, short term exposure to high concentrations of ethylbenzene can cause eye and throat irritation. Chronic exposure may also cause haematological effects and damage to the inner ear.

For overseas carriage aspects of Chemicals, the readers are recommended to acquire or have access to a good chemical dictionary, and a copy of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code, issued by the International Maritime Organisation. Also consult the applicable MSDS sheet.

Environmentally hazardous substance.

See also: http://www.chemicalland21.com/listaz01.htm#T

See also: http://www.chemicalland21.com/lifescience/phar/(CHLOROMETHYL)ETHYL%20BENZENE.htm