INTRODUCTION

The chemical process industry is mainly involved in manufacturing of wide range of

products which improves the quality of life of humankind. Ethylbenzene, also known as phenyl
ethane and ethylbenzol, C6H5CH2CH3, is a single ring, alkyl aromatic compound. It is almost
exclusively (> 90%) used as an intermediate for the manufacture of styrene monomer,
C6H5CH=CH2. Styrene is a building block in the manufacturing of polystyrene which is used
for producing disposable plastic cutlery and dinnerware, CD “jewel” cases, smoke detector
housings and so on. The method used in industries is the liquid phase alkylation of benzene
with ethylene over aluminium chloride, (AlCl3) as the catalyst. The applied catalyst in this
process AlCl3 is highly corrosive, and hence expensive equipment which are resistant against
acid are required. It has been observed that in case of liquid phase alkylation, temperature is
lower while selectivity of ethyl benzene and pressure required is higher compared to gas phase
alkylation.

PROPERTIES

Physical Properties:

Under ordinary conditions, Ethylbenzene is a clear, colourless liquid with a characteristic

aromatic odour. Ethylbenzene is an irritant to the skin and eyes and is moderately toxic by
ingestion, inhalation, and skin adsorption. The physical properties of Ethylbenzene are as
follows.

Table 1.1: Physical properties of Ethylbenzene

No. Properties
At 150C 0.87139 g/cm3
1 Density At 200C 0.8669 g/cm3
At 250C 0.86262 g/cm3
2 Melting Point -94.9490C
3 Boiling Point At 101.3 KPa 136.1860C
4 Critical Pressure 3609 KPa
5 Critical Temperature 344.020C
6 Flash Point 150C
7 Specific Heat Capacity Ideal gas,250C 1169 J kg-1 K-1
Liquid,250C 1752 J kg-1 K-1
Chemical Properties:

The most important commercial reaction of Ethylbenzene is its dehydrogenation to styrene.

The reaction is carried out at high temperature (600-6600C). Usually over an iron oxide
catalyst. Steam is used as diluents. Commercially, selectivity’s to styrene range from 89 to 96%
with per-pass conversions of 65-70%. Side reactions involve mainly the dealkylation of
Ethylbenzene to benzene and toluene. Another reaction of commercial importance is the
oxidation of Ethylbenzene by air to the hydro peroxide, C6H5CH(OOH)CH3 . The reaction
takes place in the liquid phase, with no catalyst required. However, because hydro peroxides
are unstable compounds, exposure to high temperature must be minimized to reduce the rate
of decomposition. The production by products is reduced if the temperature is gradually
lowered during the course of the reaction. The hydro peroxide is subsequently reacted with
propene in a process that yields styrene and propylene oxide as co products. With suitable
catalyst, Ethylbenzene can be converted to xylenes. Commercially processes for isomerising
xylenes usually involve the catalytic isomerisation or dealkylkylation of Ethylbenzene. Like
toluene, Ethylbenzene may be dealkylated catalytically or thermally to benzene. Ehtylbenzene
also undergoes other reaction typical of alkyl aromatic compounds.

USES

Essentially all commercial Ethylbenzene production is captively consumed for the manufacture
of styrene monomer. Styrene is used in the production of polystyrene and a wide variety of
other plastics (Styrene). Of the minor uses, the most significant is in the paint industry as a
solvent, which accounts for <1% of production capacity. Even smaller volumes go toward the
production of acetophenone, Diethylbenzene, and ethylanthraquinone.

Reference

1. Ebrahimi, A. N,. Sharak, A. Z., Mousavi, S. A., Aghazadeh, F., Soltani, A. (2011). Modification
and optimization of benzene alkylation process for production of ethylbenzene. Chemical
Engineering and Processing: Process Intensification, 50(1), 31-36
2. Appendix 1 Typical Physical Properties of Ethylbenzene. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.ethylbenzene.org/content/appendix1.html.