Ethylbenzene CAS 100-41-4
Chelora Chemicals supplies styrene-grade ethylbenzene to styrene monomer producers and specialty users worldwide. Every consignment leaves with a batch-specific COA covering purity, xylene content, sulphur and colour, the current SDS and full dangerous-goods documentation.
Also known as: EB · Phenylethane · Ethylbenzol · α-Methyltoluene
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Price, lead time and a sample COA for Ethylbenzene, usually within one working day. We ship worldwide.
Request a Quote Email the DeskDocumentation
- Batch-specific COA (GC purity, xylenes, sulphur, colour)
- Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
- Transport and dangerous-goods documents
- Third-party inspection on request
- Certificate of origin
What is Ethylbenzene?
Ethylbenzene is a C8 aromatic with a two-carbon side chain, formula C₈H₁₀. It is a clear flammable liquid boiling at 136 °C with an odour close to gasoline.
Commercially it has almost one purpose: dehydrogenation to styrene. Over 99% of ethylbenzene produced is consumed captively or sold into styrene manufacture, which makes it an intermediate rather than an end product.
It is made by alkylating benzene with ethylene over zeolite catalysts, and it also occurs naturally in the mixed xylene stream, where it is an unwanted component that complexes must dealkylate or isomerise.
Why Ethylbenzene specifically
- A clean dehydrogenation substrate. The ethyl side chain dehydrogenates selectively to the vinyl group of styrene.
- Made on purpose. Zeolite alkylation of benzene with ethylene gives high selectivity and long catalyst life.
- Tight xylene limits. Xylene carry-over survives dehydrogenation and contaminates the styrene product.
- Integrated economics. Most ethylbenzene is produced inside styrene complexes, so merchant volume is limited.
How Ethylbenzene is Manufactured
Ethylbenzene is made by alkylating benzene with ethylene; the catalyst generation determines purity and energy use.
- Benzene and ethylene feed. Dry, low-sulphur benzene is fed with polymer or chemical grade ethylene.
- Zeolite alkylation. Liquid-phase alkylation over ZSM-5 or beta zeolite at moderate temperature gives high selectivity to the mono-alkylated product.
- Transalkylation. Di- and tri-ethylbenzene by-products are transalkylated with benzene to recover additional ethylbenzene.
- Benzene recovery. Excess benzene is distilled and recycled, which is why feed water and impurities matter to the loop.
- Fractionation. Ethylbenzene is separated from residual benzene and from polyethylbenzenes to reach 99.5% or better.
- Legacy AlCl₃ route. Older plants used aluminium chloride catalysis, which gives more chloride residues and corrosion.
Typical Commercial Specification
Figures below are representative of commercial styrene-grade ethylbenzene. Tell us your dehydrogenation catalyst and we will advise on the limits you should specify.
| Parameter | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Clear colourless liquid, free of suspended matter |
| Ethylbenzene purity | 99.5% min by weight |
| Total xylenes | To grade, typically 0.3% max |
| Benzene | To grade, typically 0.05% max |
| Cumene and propylbenzene | To grade, typically 0.1% max |
| Non-aromatics | To grade, typically 0.05% max |
| Total sulphur | To grade, typically 1 ppm max |
| Total chlorides | To grade, typically 1 ppm max |
| Water | To grade, typically 200 ppm max |
| Colour (Pt-Co) | 10 max |
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Chemical formula | C₈H₁₀ (C₆H₅C₂H₅) |
| Molecular weight | 106.17 g/mol |
| Appearance | Clear colourless liquid, aromatic odour |
| Boiling point | 136.2 °C |
| Melting point | −95 °C |
| Flash point | About 18 °C (closed cup) |
| Density | 0.867 g/cm³ at 20 °C |
| Vapour pressure | About 0.9 kPa at 20 °C |
| Vapour density (relative to air) | 3.7, heavier than air |
| Flammable limits in air | About 0.8 to 6.7% by volume |
| Autoignition temperature | About 432 °C |
| Solubility in water | Practically insoluble (about 0.15 g/L) |
| Incompatibilities | Strong oxidisers, acids and halogens |
Behaviour in the process
Ethylbenzene is a stable aromatic whose handling is driven by flammability and by what it must not carry into the dehydrogenation unit:
- Dehydrogenates to styrene. Over promoted iron oxide catalyst at about 600 °C with steam dilution.
- Carries impurities forward. Xylenes and cumene survive the reactor and report to the styrene product.
- Flammable at ambient. Flash point near 18 °C means vapour is flammable in most working environments.
- Static accumulation. Low conductivity means charge builds during splash filling; bonding and earthing are essential.
Ethylbenzene Grades and Alternatives
Ethylbenzene is bought almost exclusively as a styrene precursor, so the comparison is really about where you enter the chain.
| Material | Origin / type | When it is the right choice |
|---|---|---|
| Styrene-grade ethylbenzene | 99.5%+, low xylenes and chlorides | Styrene monomer manufacture |
| Technical-grade ethylbenzene | 98 to 99% | Solvent and specialty chemical use |
| Styrene monomer | The dehydrogenation product, CAS 100-42-5 | Bought directly where no dehydrogenation unit exists |
| Mixed xylenes | Contains 15 to 20% ethylbenzene, CAS 1330-20-7 | Not a source of EB without dedicated separation |
Stated plainly: if you do not operate a dehydrogenation unit, buy styrene rather than ethylbenzene. Ethylbenzene as a merchant product makes sense only for styrene producers and for a small specialty market.
Industries We Supply Ethylbenzene To
Ethylbenzene has one dominant customer type and a narrow fringe of specialty users.
Where Ethylbenzene is Used
Styrene manufacture accounts for essentially all ethylbenzene demand.
In styrene manufacture
Ethylbenzene is vaporised, mixed with superheated steam and passed over a potassium-promoted iron oxide catalyst at about 600 °C. The reaction is endothermic and equilibrium limited, so steam dilution and vacuum operation are used to push conversion. Chlorides and sulphur in the feed shorten catalyst life directly.
In the PO/SM route
Ethylbenzene is oxidised to ethylbenzene hydroperoxide, which epoxidises propylene to propylene oxide while the co-product alcohol is dehydrated to styrene. This route ties styrene volume to propylene oxide demand rather than to styrene demand.
Need a specific grade, purity and packing format?
Tell us the grade, the xylene and chloride limits your dehydrogenation catalyst needs, the packing format you can receive and the annual quantity. We will come back with a price, a lead time, a sample COA and the full documentation set.
Quality Control & Testing
Every lot is released against a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis, with xylene and chloride figures reported alongside purity because they determine catalyst life and product quality.
- Ethylbenzene purity — by gas chromatography, the primary grade measure.
- Total xylenes — reported because they pass through to the styrene product.
- Benzene and polyethylbenzenes — measured as feed quality and recycle indicators.
- Total chlorides — tested because chloride corrodes and poisons the dehydrogenation section.
- Total sulphur — reported in ppm for the same reason.
- Colour and water content — confirming freedom from contamination and moisture pick-up.
Common Process Problems & Likely Causes
When ethylbenzene causes trouble, it is usually xylenes, chlorides or water. This table is the shortcut our technical desk works through before anyone opens a complaint file.
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Xylenes in the finished styrene | Xylene carry-over in the ethylbenzene feed | Total xylenes figure on the COA |
| Dehydrogenation catalyst deactivating early | Chlorides or sulphur in the feed | Chloride and sulphur results |
| Corrosion in the reaction section | Chloride residues, often from AlCl₃-route material | Chloride figure and source route of the lot |
| Conversion below design | Feed purity, steam ratio or catalyst age | Purity figure and reactor operating data |
| Colour in the delivered material | Rust or contamination in transfer equipment | Pt-Co colour and tank cleanliness |
| Haze or water separation in the drum | Moisture pick-up during transfer | Water content and storage handling |
Packaging, Storage & Shipping
- Standard packing. 200 L drums, ISO tank containers, road tankers and bulk parcels.
- Storage. Cool, well-ventilated, earthed and bunded flammable-liquid storage away from ignition sources.
- Static control. Bond and earth all equipment and use bottom filling.
- Material compatibility. Carbon steel and stainless steel are standard; stainless preferred where chloride specification is tight.
- Moisture control. Nitrogen blanketing or a desiccant breather where low water content is required.
- Segregation. Keep apart from oxidisers, acids and halogens.
- Shelf life. Indefinite in sealed, dry storage. Colour and water are the practical checks.
- Transport classification. UN 1175, ethylbenzene, Class 3 flammable liquid, packing group II.
Hazards & Safe Handling
Ethylbenzene is a highly flammable liquid classified as a possible carcinogen in some jurisdictions, with irritant and central nervous system effects. Vapour control and ignition control are both required.
- Flammability. Flash point about 18 °C with a flammable range of roughly 0.8 to 6.7%. Control ignition sources and bond transfer equipment.
- Health classification. Harmful by inhalation, aspiration hazard, and classified by IARC as possibly carcinogenic to humans. Several jurisdictions apply a Category 2 carcinogen classification.
- Occupational exposure. Typical limits are around 20 to 100 ppm as an 8-hour average; confirm the limit in your jurisdiction.
- Hearing effects. Prolonged exposure is associated with ototoxicity, which some occupational standards specifically address.
- Aspiration hazard. Swallowing and aspirating liquid can cause chemical pneumonitis. Never induce vomiting.
- Heavy vapour. Vapour pools at low points. Ventilate and monitor at low level.
- Environment. Harmful to aquatic life; prevent entry to drains and watercourses.
Regulatory & Compliance Notes
Ethylbenzene is a regulated flammable liquid with health classifications that vary by territory. The notes below are orientation rather than legal advice.
- GHS classification. Flammable liquid Category 2, acute toxicity Category 4, STOT RE Category 2 and aspiration hazard; carcinogen Category 2 in some jurisdictions.
- REACH and inventories. Registered under EU REACH and listed on the major chemical inventories.
- Dangerous goods transport. UN 1175, Class 3, PG II. ADR, IMDG, IATA and DOT rules apply to packaging, labelling and routing.
- Occupational exposure regulation. Exposure limits and, in some jurisdictions, noise-interaction provisions apply because of ototoxicity.
- Quality agreements. Styrene producers commonly expect documented xylene, chloride and sulphur limits with change control.
We Supply Ethylbenzene Worldwide
Chelora Chemicals is a supplier and export partner, not a single-plant trader. We ship Ethylbenzene from India and from partner sources to customers across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and North and South America, handling the export documentation, transport paperwork and freight so the material arrives ready to use.
- Incoterms. EXW, FOB, CIF, CFR and DAP quoted to suit your purchasing terms and freight arrangements.
- Ports. Regular shipments through Nhava Sheva (JNPT) and Mundra, with other ports arranged where routing and cargo rules allow.
- Documentation. Commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, COA, SDS and the transport declaration issued as a complete set.
- Flexible volumes. From a single ISO tank up to repeat bulk shipments on a supply contract.
- Supply continuity. Because we are independent of any one producer, a plant turnaround or a shipping disruption at one source does not have to become your stock-out.
Buying Ethylbenzene from Chelora
We are an independent sourcing and supply partner. For ethylbenzene that means settling three things at enquiry: the purity and xylene limit, the chloride ceiling and production route, and the logistics into your tankage.
- Documentation on every lot. Batch-specific COA (GC purity, xylenes, sulphur, colour), plus SDS and the full transport paperwork.
- Analysis before commitment. Representative analysis shared ahead of a commercial order so your lab can qualify the material.
- Quantities. From a single ISO tank through to full bulk shipments on contract supply.
- Grade matching. Styrene grade or technical grade, with the xylene, chloride and sulphur limits your unit requires.
- Inspection. Independent third-party inspection available at loading when the contract requires it.
- Related products. Benzene, Styrene Monomer, Cumene and other feedstocks alongside Ethylbenzene from one supplier.
How ordering works
- Send the enquiry. Product, grade or purity, quantity, destination port and the Incoterm you buy on. If you have a spec sheet, attach it — it saves a round trip.
- We quote. Price, lead time, packing format and a sample COA, normally within one working day.
- Qualify the supply. For first orders or critical applications, we share the analysis and handling documentation so your technical and safety teams can sign off before you commit.
- Confirm the order. Proforma invoice issued; payment terms agreed against the volume and the relationship.
- Allocation and QC. Material allocated and released against a batch-specific COA, with an independent inspection where the contract calls for it.
- Ship and document. Filled, labelled and loaded with the full export document set, and tracked through to arrival.
Ethylbenzene — Common Questions
The questions our technical desk is asked most often about Ethylbenzene. If yours isn't here, call or email and you will reach someone who knows the chemistry.
What is the CAS number of ethylbenzene?
The CAS number for ethylbenzene is 100-41-4, and its EC number is 202-849-4. Its molecular formula is C₈H₁₀ with a molecular weight of 106.17 g/mol, and it is classified under HS code 2902.60.
What is ethylbenzene used for?
Almost entirely as the feedstock for styrene monomer, by catalytic dehydrogenation or through the propylene oxide co-production route. Minor uses include acetophenone, diethylbenzene desorbent, solvent and gasoline blending.
Do you supply ethylbenzene worldwide?
Yes. Chelora Chemicals supplies and exports ethylbenzene worldwide — across Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas, as well as throughout India. Every consignment carries the COA, the SDS and the dangerous-goods documentation.
How is ethylbenzene manufactured?
By alkylating benzene with ethylene over a zeolite catalyst in the liquid or vapour phase, with transalkylation of polyethylbenzenes to improve yield. Older plants used aluminium chloride catalysis, which leaves higher chloride residues.
Why do xylene limits matter in ethylbenzene?
Because xylenes are not converted in the dehydrogenation reactor. Whatever xylene enters with the feed leaves with the styrene product, where it is an off-specification contaminant.
Why does chloride content matter?
Chloride corrodes the dehydrogenation section and poisons the promoted iron oxide catalyst. Zeolite-route ethylbenzene typically carries much lower chloride than legacy aluminium chloride material.
Is ethylbenzene hazardous?
Yes. It is a highly flammable liquid with a flash point near 18 °C, harmful by inhalation, an aspiration hazard, and classified as a possible carcinogen. Prolonged exposure is also associated with hearing damage.
What are the UN number and transport class?
UN 1175, ethylbenzene, Class 3 flammable liquid, packing group II. ADR, IMDG, IATA and DOT rules apply to the packaging, labelling and routing.
How should ethylbenzene be stored?
In cool, well-ventilated, earthed and bunded flammable-liquid storage away from ignition sources and oxidisers, with bonding during transfer and a dry blanket where low water content is required.
What packing sizes and order quantities are available?
200 L drums, ISO tank containers, road tankers and bulk parcels. Orders run from a single ISO tank up to repeat bulk cargoes on contract supply.
Should I buy ethylbenzene or styrene?
If you do not operate a dehydrogenation unit, buy styrene. Merchant ethylbenzene is a thin market because nearly all production is consumed captively inside integrated styrene complexes.
What is the typical shelf life?
Indefinite in sealed, dry storage. Ethylbenzene does not polymerise or form peroxides; colour and water content are the practical checks on older stock.
Ready to source Ethylbenzene?
Send us your specification, grade and annual volume. You will get a price, a realistic lead time and a sample COA from someone who understands what the material has to do in your process — delivered anywhere in the world.