REACTIONS AND CHEMICALS OF BENZENE

Benzene (C₆H₆) is the most important aromatic hydrocarbon. It is the precursor for many chemicals that may be used as end products or inter- mediates. Almost all compounds derived directly from benzene are converted to other chemicals and polymers. For example, hydrogenation of benzene produces cyclohexane. Oxidation of cyclohexane produces cyclohexanone, which is used to make caprolactam for nylon manufacture.

Due to the resonance stabilization of the benzene ring, it is not easily polymerized. However, products derived from benzene such as styrene, phenol, and maleic anhydride can polymerize to important commercial products due to the presence of reactive functional groups. Benzene could be alkylated by different alkylating agents, hydrogenated to cyclohexane, nitrated, or chlorinated.

The current world benzene capacity is approximately 35 million tons. The 1994 U.S. production of benzene was about 14.7 million pounds.