3765. Ethylbenzene

Nomenclature

CAS number: 100-41-4
C8H10; mol wt 106.17.
C 90.50%, H 9.49%.

Description and references

Prepn from acetophenone: Clemmensen, Ber. 46, 1838 (1913); Gattermann-Wieland, Praxis des Organischen Chemikers (de Gruyter, Berlin, 40th ed., 1961) p 332; by Huang-Minlon modification of Wolff-Kishner reduction: A. I. Vogel, Practical Organic Chemistry (Longmans, 3rd ed., 1959) p 516. Physical properties: L. C. Gibbons et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 68, 1130 (1946). Manuf: Faith, Keyes & Clark's Industrial Chemicals, F. A. Lowenheim, M. K. Moran, Eds. (Wiley-Interscience, New York, 4th ed., 1975) pp 365-370. Toxicity study: H. F. Smyth et al., Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J. 23, 95 (1962). Review of toxicology and human exposure: Toxicological Profile for Ethylbenzene (PB99-166647, 1999) 280 pp.

Chemical structure

Properties

Colorless liquid. Flammable. d2525 0.866. bp 136.25°. mp -95.01°. nD25 1.4932. Flash pt, closed cup: 64°F (18°C). Practically insol in water. Misc with the usual organic solvents. LD50 orally in rats: 5.46 g/kg (Smyth).

Caution

Potential symptoms of overexposure are irritation of eyes, skin and mucous membranes; headache; dermatitis; narcosis, coma. See NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (DHHS/NIOSH 97-140, 1997) p 132.

Use

For conversion to styrene monomer; as resin solvent.