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How Is Benzene Formed?

Benzene (or benzol), an organic chemical compound, is a natural constituent of crude oil. It is highly inflammable colorless liquid, having a sweet smell. Since benzene was identified as a potential carcinogen, its use in gasoline as an additive has been limited. However, it continues to be an efficient industrial solvent and used as a precursor for producing drugs, plastics dyes and synthetic rubber.

  1. Early Production

    • Though earlier benzene was sourced from coal tars obtained in the process of coking in steel and other industries, due to higher demands for this chemical in the plastics industry, benzene is currently produced from petroleum, inasmuch as a major production comes only from petrochemicals, and a small proportion coming from coal.

    Benzene Production

    • Benzene is produced when carbon-rich materials are burnt incompletely. Forest fires and volcanoes are natural contributors of benzene production. It is a component of cigarette smoke. For industrial purposes, benzene is produced from petroleum or coal. For instance, steel industry turns coal into coke, which when cracked produces benzene along with small quantities of xylene and toluene.

    Properties

    • Benzene is an aromatic hydrocarbon. It is produced through hydrogen reduction of some allotropes of carbon, or from its parent crude oil. Its boiling point is 80.1 degrees C, whereas melting point is 5.5 degrees C. A benzene series refers to the other aromatic compounds produced through replacing hydrogen atoms with methyl groups.

    Derivatives

    • Derivatives are produced through replacing hydrogen atoms with other groups. For example, a hydroxyl group can produce phenol. Important derivatives include phenol, picric acid and aniline. Benzene is obtained for industrial purposes by distilling coal tar, which is a byproduct in coke production as well as from petroleum through special reforming processes.

    Uses

    • Benzene is a gasoline additive that increases octane rating (measurement of antilock properties of a liquid motor fuel). Due to health concerns of benzene, it has been phased out from gasoline in the United States. It is used as intermediary in the production of many other chemicals. Derivatives of benzene thus include styrene used in polymer and plastic production, phenol for adhesives, and cyclohexane used in manufacture of nylon. Smaller quantities of benzene are used to produce certain kinds of lubricants, rubbers, dyes, drugs, detergents, pesticides and explosives.

    Health Effects

    • Benzene if breathed in high quantities can be fatal, while high levels can also bring about dizziness, rapid heart beat, confusion, tremors, headaches and unconsciousness. If you consume food having high benzene levels, it can irritate the digestive system, cause convulsions, rapid heart beats and may be fatal at times. If exposed to blood for a long time, it can affect bone marrow and reduce red blood cells, resulting in anemia.

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