Cumene
The isopropyl-substituted aromatic supplied by Chelora Chemicals — almost exclusively the feedstock for the cumene process, the route behind the great majority of the world's phenol and acetone — exported from Indonesia in drums or ISO tanks with full batch documentation on every shipment.
What Cumene is, and why buyers source it
A working overview of the compound's chemistry, its role as a single-purpose phenol/acetone feedstock, and the grades Chelora Chemicals keeps in regular supply.
Cumene is a benzene ring carrying a single isopropyl substituent — a branched, three-carbon group whose tertiary C–H bond is unusually easy to oxidise. That one structural feature is the entire reason cumene is manufactured on an enormous industrial scale: it is the molecule that makes the Hock process, the dominant worldwide route to phenol, chemically possible.
At room temperature it is a colourless, flammable liquid with a sharp, gasoline-like aromatic odour, immiscible with water but miscible with most organic solvents. Its tertiary benzylic hydrogen reacts readily with atmospheric oxygen under mild radical-chain conditions, forming cumene hydroperoxide — the key intermediate of the whole downstream process.
Where it fits in the synthesis chain
Cumene's use is overwhelmingly single-purpose: the great majority of world production is converted via the Hock process into phenol and acetone, co-products in a fixed roughly 1.5:1 weight ratio. Phenol is the key raw material for phenolic (phenol-formaldehyde) resins, bisphenol A (and from it, polycarbonate and epoxy resins), and caprolactam for nylon 6, while the co-product acetone is itself a major solvent and feedstock for methyl methacrylate and bisphenol A.
Grades we supply
Chelora Chemicals offers Cumene in technical grade (≈99.5% assay) for general solvent and octane-booster use, and phenol grade (99.9%+, tightly controlled for sulfur and other oxidation-sensitive impurities) for Hock-process feedstock manufacture. Both grades are supplied with a batch-wise certificate of analysis.
How Cumene is made
An overview of the production route for orientation purposes. Our manufacturing partners' own process parameters and in-process controls are proprietary and are not disclosed beyond what is needed to interpret the certificate of analysis.
Cumene is manufactured by the Friedel-Crafts alkylation of benzene with propylene: benzene + C₃H₆ → C₆H₅CH(CH₃)₂, run over a solid acid zeolite catalyst in modern plants (processes such as the Q-Max process have largely replaced older liquid-acid AlCl₃ or solid phosphoric acid catalysts). The reaction is run with excess benzene to limit over-alkylation to di- and tri-isopropylbenzene, which are separated and recycled back to extinction by transalkylation with fresh benzene.
Why zeolite-catalysed alkylation is the modern standard
Zeolite catalysts give higher selectivity to mono-alkylated cumene, avoid the corrosive liquid-acid handling and waste-disposal issues of older AlCl₃ processes, and can be regenerated in place, which is why essentially all new cumene capacity built in recent decades uses a zeolite-based alkylation process.
Industries and processes that use it
Cumene is consumed almost entirely by phenol/acetone manufacture via the Hock process, with a small remaining share used as a solvent or octane booster. The field below accounts for the overwhelming majority of the demand we see through our export desk.
Phenol & Acetone Feedstock (Hock Process)
Oxidised to cumene hydroperoxide and cleaved to phenol and acetone, the dominant, near-exclusive industrial use of cumene worldwide.
Phenolic Resin & Bisphenol A Chain
Supplies, through phenol, the raw material for phenolic resins, bisphenol A, polycarbonate and epoxy resins, and caprolactam for nylon 6.
Acetone Co-Product Chain
Supplies, through the fixed-ratio acetone co-product, feedstock for methyl methacrylate, solvent applications and further bisphenol A manufacture.
Industrial Solvent & Octane Booster
Used in a small remaining share as a high-octane gasoline-blending component and industrial solvent.
How the molecule is typically carried forward
The tertiary benzylic C–H bond on the isopropyl group governs almost all of this molecule's further reaction chemistry. Reaction classes below account for most of the ways Cumene is converted into a finished product or intermediate.
Air Oxidation to Cumene Hydroperoxide
The tertiary benzylic hydrogen is abstracted by oxygen in a radical-chain process, building up cumene hydroperoxide (CHP) in the liquid phase.
Acid-Catalysed Cleavage (Hock Rearrangement)
Cumene hydroperoxide is cleaved with a mineral acid catalyst in a rearrangement that splits the molecule directly into phenol and acetone.
Friedel-Crafts Alkylation (Upstream)
Benzene and propylene combine over a zeolite catalyst to form cumene itself, the first step in the whole chain.
Transalkylation of Polyisopropylbenzenes
Polyalkylated by-products are reacted with fresh benzene to redistribute isopropyl groups and recover additional cumene.
Cumene against other amines we supply
Buyers sourcing Cumene for phenol/acetone manufacture or solvent use often need a related alkylbenzene. A quick reference to what else is on our regular supply list.
| Product | CAS Number | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cumene | 98-82-8 | Alkylbenzene (C9) | The product on this page — almost entirely a single-purpose phenol/acetone feedstock. |
| Ethylbenzene | 100-41-4 | Alkylbenzene (C8) | A related alkylbenzene made by an analogous Friedel-Crafts route, feedstock for styrene — see its product page. |
| Toluene | 108-88-3 | Mono-substituted aromatic | A related aromatic solvent and petrochemical feedstock — see its product page. |
| Styrene Monomer | 100-42-5 | Vinyl aromatic monomer | A related high-volume aromatic petrochemical — see its product page. |
Exact physical constants and purity specifications are confirmed per batch on the certificate of analysis — treat the notes above as a sourcing guide, not a specification sheet, for products other than Cumene.
Safety classification at a glance
Based on GHS classification as commonly listed for this substance. This is a summary for orientation only — always work from the current safety data sheet supplied with your specific batch.
Flammable liquid and vapour.
May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways.
May cause respiratory irritation.
Toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects.
Chemical-resistant gloves, splash goggles and suitable respiratory protection are the baseline for routine handling.
Keep away from heat, sparks and open flame; ground and bond containers during transfer.
Cumene slowly auto-oxidises in storage; avoid extended exposure to air and check peroxide levels before processing aged material.
Danger — GHS02 flammable, GHS07 harmful and GHS09 environmental pictograms apply.
This compound is a flammable liquid that may be fatal if swallowed and enters the airways, may cause respiratory irritation, and is toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects. It must be handled with chemical-resistant gloves, splash-proof eye protection, suitable respiratory protection and kept away from heat and open flame. Full first-aid, storage, spill and PPE guidance is in the MSDS issued with every shipment, and should be read in full before this material is handled.
Keeping it on spec between delivery and use
General storage guidance for this grade. Site-specific storage rules, segregation requirements and re-test intervals should follow your own EHS procedures and the MSDS issued with your batch.
Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from heat sources, open flame, strong oxidizing agents and direct light, in tightly closed original packaging. Because cumene slowly auto-oxidises to its hydroperoxide on storage, minimise headspace air and avoid prolonged storage before use. Ground and bond all equipment during bulk transfer. If a batch is held past its retest date, re-check assay, peroxide value and colour before use.
How it ships from Indonesia
Standard packing and export terms for this product. Confirm exact figures against your order — they vary slightly by destination and quantity.
What travels with every batch
Specification is agreed before the purchase order, not discovered on arrival. Every shipment of Cumene leaves with a documented, checkable paper trail.
Certificate of Analysis
Batch-wise assay (by titration/GC), colour and relevant physical constants, issued against the agreed specification so your QC team can check it, not just file it.
Safety Data Sheet
GHS-format SDS in English covering hazard classification, handling, storage, first-aid and spill response for the exact grade of Cumene shipped.
Technical Data Sheet
Reference physical and chemical properties, recommended storage and typical applications, for internal circulation to your process or R&D teams.
Certificate of Origin
Confirms Indonesian origin for customs clearance and any preferential-duty claim at your destination port.
Dangerous Goods Declaration
UN packing group, classification and shipper's declaration prepared ahead of loading so documentation never holds up customs.
Third-Party Inspection
Independent pre-shipment inspection and re-sampling can be arranged on request, at your cost, for buyers who require it as a matter of policy.
Frequently asked questions
What buyers most often ask our sales desk about this grade.
01What is Cumene used for?+
02What is the CAS number of Cumene?+
03How is Cumene made?+
04What purity grades does Chelora Chemicals supply?+
05Is Cumene hazardous?+
06Why is cumene the preferred feedstock for making phenol?+
07What packing options are available?+
08How long does delivery take?+
09Can I get a sample before placing a bulk order?+
10Do you supply other alkylbenzenes as well?+
Need Cumene on spec, on time?
Send us your required purity, quantity, packing preference and destination port. Our desk quotes most enquiries within one working day.