ORTHO XYLENE-C₈H₁₀

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ABOUT:

Ortho-xylene (o-xylene) is primarily produced by the catalytic reforming of petroleum naphtha or reformate, which is a mixture of hydrocarbons with 6 to 10 carbon atoms. The process involves the following steps:

Pre-treatment: The reformate is first pretreated to remove impurities such as sulfur, nitrogen, and other organic compounds that can poison the catalysts used in the reforming process.

Reforming: The pretreated reformate is then fed into a reactor vessel, where it is mixed with hydrogen and heated to high temperatures (500-600°C) under high pressure (10-30 atm) in the presence of a catalyst, usually composed of platinum, palladium, and/or rhenium. This process causes the hydrocarbons to undergo a series of chemical reactions, including dehydrogenation, isomerization, and cyclization, which result in the formation of o-xylene along with other aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, and meta-xylene.

Separation: The products of the reforming process are then separated using a series of distillation and fractionation steps to isolate o-xylene from the other aromatic hydrocarbons.

Purification: The isolated o-xylene is then purified further to remove any remaining impurities such as water and other trace organic compounds.

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES:

Molecular weight: 106.17 g/mol

Boiling point: 144.4°C (292°F)

Melting point: -25.2°C (-13.4°F)

Density: 0.88 g/cm³

Vapor pressure: 11.1 mmHg at 20°C (68°F)

Viscosity: 0.64 cP at 20°C (68°F)

Flash point: 29.4°C (85°F)

Autoignition temperature: 543°C (1009°F)

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES:

• Ortho-xylene is a reactive compound that can undergo a variety of chemical reactions, including halogenation, nitration, sulfonation, and oxidation.
• The aromatic ring in ortho-xylene has a weakly acidic hydrogen atom, which can be easily replaced by a strong base.
• Ortho-xylene can undergo polymerization reactions to form polyesters and polycarbonates.
• Ortho-xylene can be oxidized to form ortho-phthalic acid, which is used in the production of plastics.
• Ortho-xylene is highly flammable and can pose a fire hazard in certain conditions.
• Ortho-xylene is toxic when ingested or inhaled and can cause a range of health effects, including headache, dizziness, and respiratory irritation.

APPLICATIONS:

CHEMICAL MANUFACTURING:

• O-xylene is a key feedstock for the production of phthalic anhydride, which is used in the production of plastics, polyester resins, and other products.
• O-xylene is used to produce dimethyl terephthalate (DMT), which is used to make polyester fibers, films, and resins.
• As a curing agent for epoxy resins and in the creation of polyurethane coatings, o-xylene can be used to create o-xylene diamine (OXD).

AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY:

• O-xylene is a raw ingredient used to make several herbicides, including 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) and MCPA (2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid).
• O-xylene is a raw ingredient used in the manufacture of several insecticides, including parathion and malathion.
• O-xylene is a raw ingredient used to make several fungicides, including benomyl and carbendazim.

LABORATORY:

• In the lab, O-xylene is employed as a solvent for organic processes. It is frequently employed in chemical reactions that demand high temperatures or yield water as a byproduct.
• For thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and other types of chromatography, o-xylene is employed as a non-polar solvent.
• Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy uses o-xylene as a reference material, and UV/Vis spectroscopy uses it as a solvent.
• To make tissue samples transparent and simpler to view under a microscope, o-xylene is used in microscopy as a clearing agent.

OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY:

• In the search for and production of oil and gas, o-xylene is employed as a tracer. It is injected into oil and gas reservoirs to help identify the reservoir’s flow patterns and properties.
• To help reduce the viscosity of the drilling mud and increase drilling efficiency, o-xylene is utilised as a component in drilling fluids.
• In the oil and gas sector, O-xylene is using O-xy, for the extraction and the industry uses O-xy. O-xy.
• In the oil and gas sector, o-xylene is utilised as a cleaning agent for pipelines. It can dissolve and eliminate numerous sorts of hydrocarbon deposits and pollutants.

RUBBER AND PLASTIC INDUSTRY:

• Tires, hoses, and other rubber products are made using SBR, which is created using o-xylene as a solvent.
• Polystyrene, which is used to make a variety of plastic items, including disposable cups, packaging materials, and toys, is produced using o-xylene as a feedstock and solvent.
• O-xylene is a feedstock used to create ABS resins, which are used to make a variety of plastic items, such as electrical and automobile parts.
• PVC, which is used to make a variety of plastic items, including pipes, wires, and packaging materials, is made using o-xylene as a feedstock and solvent.

PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY:

• Many APIs, including certain antibiotics, antihistamines, and antidepressants, are produced using o-xylene as a solvent and intermediary.
• Some natural compounds used in pharmaceuticals, such as certain alkaloids and essential oils, are extracted using o-xylene as a solvent.
• A number of speciality compounds utilised in the pharmaceutical business, including several dyes and pigments, are synthesised from o-xylene as a starting ingredient.
• O-xylene is employed as a solvent in the purification of APIs in order to separate desired components from unwanted contaminants.

SAFETY MEASURES:

• Workers handling o-xylene should wear appropriate PPE, including gloves, protective clothing, and respirators.
• Proper ventilation is necessary when handling o-xylene to prevent the buildup of vapors in the work area.
• O-xylene should be stored in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from heat sources and incompatible materials.
• O-xylene should be handled with care, avoiding skin and eye contact, and avoiding ingestion and inhalation.
• In case of spills or leaks, workers should follow appropriate spill response procedures, including wearing appropriate PPE, containing the spill, and cleaning up the area using appropriate materials.
• O-xylene should be transported in appropriate containers, following proper labeling and documentation requirements.
• Workers handling o-xylene should be trained in its proper handling, storage, and disposal procedures.