Cumene CAS 98-82-8
Chelora Chemicals supplies phenol-grade cumene to phenol, acetone and alpha-methylstyrene producers worldwide. Because cumene forms peroxides, every consignment leaves with a batch-specific COA covering purity, peroxide value and sulphur, the current SDS and full dangerous-goods documentation.
Also known as: Isopropylbenzene · 2-Phenylpropane · Cumol · 1-Methylethylbenzene
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Price, lead time and a sample COA for Cumene, usually within one working day. We ship worldwide.
Request a Quote Email the DeskDocumentation
- Batch-specific COA (GC purity, peroxide value, sulphur)
- Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
- Transport and dangerous-goods documents
- Third-party inspection on request
- Certificate of origin
What is Cumene?
Cumene is a C9 aromatic carrying an isopropyl group, formula C₉H₁₂. It is a clear flammable liquid boiling at 152 °C with a sharp aromatic odour.
Its importance is entirely due to one reaction sequence. Oxidation of the tertiary carbon gives cumene hydroperoxide, and acid cleavage of that peroxide produces phenol and acetone together in a fixed molar ratio.
Over 95% of world cumene goes through that route, which is why phenol and acetone markets are permanently linked: you cannot make one without the other, whatever the relative demand.
Why Cumene specifically
- A tertiary benzylic carbon. The isopropyl group oxidises selectively to a stable hydroperoxide, which is the whole basis of the phenol process.
- Co-production economics. Each tonne of phenol brings about 0.6 tonnes of acetone, tying the two markets together.
- Made from benzene and propylene. Both feedstocks are widely available, which keeps the route dominant.
- Peroxide forming. The same reactivity means cumene accumulates peroxides in storage and must be managed accordingly.
How Cumene is Manufactured
Cumene is made by alkylating benzene with propylene, almost always over zeolite catalysts in modern plants.
- Benzene and propylene feed. Dry, low-sulphur benzene is alkylated with chemical or polymer grade propylene.
- Zeolite alkylation. Liquid-phase alkylation over beta or MCM-22 zeolite gives high selectivity to mono-isopropylbenzene.
- Transalkylation. Di-isopropylbenzene by-product is transalkylated with benzene to recover more cumene.
- Benzene recycle. Excess benzene is distilled overhead and returned, so feed purity affects the whole loop.
- Fractionation. Cumene is separated from benzene and from heavier alkylates to reach 99.9%.
- Legacy SPA route. Older plants used solid phosphoric acid, which gives lower selectivity and more heavy by-products.
Typical Commercial Specification
Figures below are representative of commercial phenol-grade cumene. Tell us whether the material goes to oxidation or to a solvent use and we will advise on the limits you should specify.
| Parameter | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Clear colourless liquid, free of suspended matter |
| Cumene purity | 99.9% min by weight |
| Benzene | To grade, typically 50 ppm max |
| n-Propylbenzene | To grade, typically 300 ppm max |
| Ethylbenzene and butylbenzenes | To grade, typically 300 ppm max |
| Total sulphur | To grade, typically 1 ppm max |
| Peroxide value (as cumene hydroperoxide) | To grade, typically 5 ppm max |
| Water | To grade, typically 100 ppm max |
| Colour (Pt-Co) | 10 max |
| Chlorides | To grade, typically 1 ppm max |
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Chemical formula | C₉H₁₂ (C₆H₅CH(CH₃)₂) |
| Molecular weight | 120.19 g/mol |
| Appearance | Clear colourless liquid, sharp aromatic odour |
| Boiling point | 152.4 °C |
| Melting point | −96 °C |
| Flash point | About 36 °C (closed cup) |
| Density | 0.862 g/cm³ at 20 °C |
| Vapour pressure | About 0.4 kPa at 20 °C |
| Vapour density (relative to air) | 4.1, heavier than air |
| Flammable limits in air | About 0.9 to 6.5% by volume |
| Autoignition temperature | About 420 °C |
| Solubility in water | Practically insoluble (about 0.05 g/L) |
| Incompatibilities | Oxidisers, acids, peroxide formers; forms hydroperoxide on air exposure |
Behaviour in the process
Cumene is a stable solvent in ordinary use, but its oxidation chemistry needs respect:
- Peroxide formation. Air exposure slowly produces cumene hydroperoxide, which is both the industrial intermediate and a storage hazard.
- Selective oxidation. The tertiary benzylic hydrogen is abstracted preferentially, giving a clean hydroperoxide in the industrial process.
- Acid-sensitive peroxide. Cumene hydroperoxide cleaves violently with acid, which is exploited industrially and must be avoided in storage.
- Static accumulation. Low conductivity means charge builds during splash filling; bonding and earthing are essential.
Cumene and Alternative Phenol Routes
Cumene is bought for the phenol process, and the alternatives are different phenol technologies rather than different chemicals.
| Material | Origin / type | When it is the right choice |
|---|---|---|
| Phenol-grade cumene | 99.9%+, low n-propylbenzene | Phenol and acetone manufacture by the cumene process |
| Technical-grade cumene | 99%+ | Solvent, thinner and specialty chemical use |
| Phenol | The product, CAS 108-95-2 | Bought directly where no oxidation and cleavage unit exists |
| Toluene (via benzoic acid) | CAS 108-88-3 | An alternative phenol route operated on a small scale |
| Cyclohexylbenzene | Alternative hydroperoxide route | Produces phenol with cyclohexanone instead of acetone |
Stated plainly: the cumene process dominates phenol production because both products have markets. The alternative routes exist mainly for producers who do not want the acetone co-product.
Industries We Supply Cumene To
Cumene goes mostly to one reaction, with a modest solvent and specialty market beside it.
Where Cumene is Used
Phenol and acetone manufacture accounts for nearly all cumene consumption worldwide.
In the cumene process
Cumene is oxidised with air at about 100 °C to cumene hydroperoxide at 20 to 30% concentration, then concentrated and cleaved with sulphuric acid to phenol and acetone. The cleavage is strongly exothermic and is one of the most carefully controlled reactions in the industry, which is why feed purity, particularly n-propylbenzene and sulphur, is specified tightly.
As a solvent
Cumene's 152 °C boiling point and strong solvency make it useful in thinners and specialty coatings, but peroxide formation on air exposure limits its shelf life compared with toluene or xylene. Peroxide testing on aged stock is a sensible precaution.
Need a specific grade, purity and packing format?
Tell us the grade, the n-propylbenzene and sulphur limits your oxidation unit 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 peroxide value and n-propylbenzene reported alongside purity because both matter directly to the phenol process.
- Cumene purity — by gas chromatography, the primary grade measure.
- n-Propylbenzene — reported because it accumulates in the oxidation loop.
- Benzene and other alkylbenzenes — measured as feed quality and recycle indicators.
- Peroxide value — tested because peroxides form on air exposure and affect oxidation control.
- Total sulphur and chlorides — reported in ppm for catalyst and corrosion reasons.
- Colour and water content — confirming freedom from contamination and moisture pick-up.
Common Process Problems & Likely Causes
When cumene causes trouble, it is usually n-propylbenzene build-up, peroxides, sulphur or water. This table is the shortcut our technical desk works through before anyone opens a complaint file.
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Inerts accumulating in the oxidation loop | n-Propylbenzene in the feed oxidising slowly | n-Propylbenzene figure on the COA and purge rate |
| Hydroperoxide selectivity falling | Sulphur, metals or phenolic contamination | Sulphur result and transfer equipment cleanliness |
| Peroxide value high on receipt | Air exposure during storage or transport | Peroxide result, blanketing and lot age |
| Acetone to phenol ratio off | Feed impurities producing alternative cleavage products | Purity and alkylbenzene profile |
| Corrosion in the cleavage section | Chlorides or water in the feed | Chloride and water figures on the COA |
| Colour in the delivered material | Oxidation products or rust contamination | Pt-Co colour and tank condition |
Packaging, Storage & Shipping
- Standard packing. 200 L drums, ISO tank containers, road tankers and bulk parcels.
- Nitrogen blanketing. Standard, because cumene forms hydroperoxide on air exposure.
- Storage. Cool, shaded, well-ventilated, earthed and bunded flammable-liquid storage away from ignition sources.
- Peroxide management. Test peroxide value on aged stock; never distil cumene to dryness, as concentrated peroxide is explosive.
- Material compatibility. Carbon steel and stainless steel are standard. Avoid contact with acids, which cleave any hydroperoxide present violently.
- Segregation. Keep apart from oxidisers, acids and peroxide initiators.
- Shelf life. Typically 12 months in blanketed storage. Peroxide value is the practical check.
- Transport classification. UN 1918, isopropylbenzene, Class 3 flammable liquid, packing group III.
Hazards & Safe Handling
Cumene is a flammable liquid with aspiration and irritant hazards that also forms hydroperoxides on air exposure. Peroxide management is the handling issue that distinguishes it from other aromatic solvents.
- Flammability. Flash point about 36 °C with a flammable range of roughly 0.9 to 6.5%. Control ignition sources and bond transfer equipment.
- Peroxide hazard. Cumene hydroperoxide forms on air exposure and decomposes violently with acid or on concentration. Blanket, test and never evaporate to dryness.
- Aspiration hazard. Swallowing and aspirating liquid can cause chemical pneumonitis. Never induce vomiting.
- Health classification. Skin and respiratory irritant with narcotic effects at high vapour concentration; listed by IARC as possibly carcinogenic to humans.
- Occupational exposure. Typical limits sit around 25 to 50 ppm as an 8-hour average; confirm the limit in your jurisdiction.
- 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
Cumene is regulated as a flammable liquid with additional attention to its peroxide-forming behaviour. The notes below are orientation rather than legal advice.
- GHS classification. Flammable liquid Category 3, aspiration hazard Category 1, skin and respiratory irritant, and hazardous to the aquatic environment.
- Peroxide-forming chemical status. Many laboratory and plant safety codes classify cumene as a peroxide former with a defined maximum storage period after opening.
- REACH and inventories. Registered under EU REACH and listed on the major chemical inventories.
- Dangerous goods transport. UN 1918, Class 3, PG III. ADR, IMDG, IATA and DOT rules apply to packaging, labelling and routing.
- Quality agreements. Phenol producers commonly expect documented n-propylbenzene, sulphur and peroxide limits with change control.
We Supply Cumene Worldwide
Chelora Chemicals is a supplier and export partner, not a single-plant trader. We ship Cumene 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 Cumene from Chelora
We are an independent sourcing and supply partner. For cumene that means settling three things at enquiry: the purity and n-propylbenzene ceiling, the peroxide value and blanketing on arrival, and the logistics into your tankage.
- Documentation on every lot. Batch-specific COA (GC purity, peroxide value, sulphur), 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. Phenol grade or technical grade, with the n-propylbenzene, sulphur and peroxide limits your unit requires.
- Inspection. Independent third-party inspection available at loading when the contract requires it.
- Related products. Benzene, Phenol, Acetone and other feedstocks alongside Cumene 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.
Cumene — Common Questions
The questions our technical desk is asked most often about Cumene. If yours isn't here, call or email and you will reach someone who knows the chemistry.
What is the CAS number of cumene?
The CAS number for cumene is 98-82-8, and its EC number is 202-704-5. Its molecular formula is C₉H₁₂ with a molecular weight of 120.19 g/mol, and it is classified under HS code 2902.70.
What is cumene used for?
Almost entirely for phenol and acetone manufacture through the cumene hydroperoxide process. Smaller volumes go to alpha-methylstyrene, acetophenone and solvent applications.
Do you supply cumene worldwide?
Yes. Chelora Chemicals supplies and exports cumene 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.
Why are phenol and acetone always produced together?
Because the cumene process cleaves cumene hydroperoxide into both products in a fixed molar ratio. Roughly 0.6 tonnes of acetone accompanies every tonne of phenol, whatever the relative demand for the two.
How is cumene manufactured?
By alkylating benzene with propylene over a zeolite catalyst in the liquid phase, with transalkylation of di-isopropylbenzene to improve yield. Older plants used solid phosphoric acid catalysis.
Why is n-propylbenzene specified so tightly?
Because it oxidises far more slowly than cumene and accumulates in the oxidation loop as an inert, forcing a higher purge rate and reducing plant efficiency. It is a process constraint rather than a purity cosmetic.
Is cumene hazardous?
It is a flammable liquid with a flash point around 36 °C, an aspiration hazard and an irritant. It also forms hydroperoxides on air exposure, which is the hazard that distinguishes it from other aromatic solvents.
What are the UN number and transport class?
UN 1918, isopropylbenzene, Class 3 flammable liquid, packing group III. ADR, IMDG, IATA and DOT rules apply to the packaging, labelling and routing.
How should cumene be stored?
Under nitrogen in cool, shaded, earthed and bunded flammable-liquid storage away from acids and oxidisers, with peroxide value tested on aged stock.
Why should cumene never be distilled to dryness?
Because any hydroperoxide present concentrates in the residue, and concentrated cumene hydroperoxide decomposes explosively. This applies in the laboratory as much as in the plant.
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.
What is the typical shelf life?
Around 12 months in sealed, nitrogen-blanketed storage, limited by peroxide formation. Peroxide value is the practical check on older stock.
Ready to source Cumene?
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.