Chemicals Based on Benzene, Toluene, and Xylenes

The primary sources of benzene, toluene, and xylenes (BTX) are refinery streams, especially from catalytic reforming and cracking, and pyrolysis gasoline from steam cracking and from coal liquids. BTX and ethyl  sulfolene or ethylene glycol. The extracted components are separated through lengthy fractional distillation, crystallization, and isomerization processes.

The reactivity of C₆, C₇, C₈ aromatics is mainly associated with the benzene ring. Aromatic compounds in general are liable for electrophilic substitution. Most of the chemicals produced directly from benzene are obtained from its reactions with electrophilic reagents. Benzene could be alkylated, nitrated, or chlorinated to important chemicals that are precursors for many commercial products.

Toluene and xylenes (methylbenzenes) are substituted benzenes.

Although the presence of methyl substituents activates the benzene ring for electrophilic attack, the chemistry of methyl benzenes for producing commercial products is more related to reactions with the methyl than with the phenyl group. As an electron-withdrawing substituent (of methane), the phenyl group influences the methyl hydrogens and makes them more available for chemical attack. The methyl group could be easily oxidized or chlorinated as a result of the presence of the phenyl substituent.