Cumene hydroperoxide is the

organic compound In chemistry, organic compounds are generally any chemical compounds that contain carbon-hydrogen or carbon-carbon bonds. Due to carbon's ability to catenate (form chains with other carbon atoms), millions of organic compounds are known. Th ...

with the formula C₆H₅CMe₂OOH (Me = CH₃). An oily liquid, it is classified as an

organic hydroperoxide In organic chemistry, organic peroxides are organic compounds containing the peroxide functional group (). If the R′ is hydrogen, the compounds are called hydroperoxides, which are discussed in that article. The O−O bond of peroxides easily b ...

. Products of decomposition of cumene hydroperoxide are methylstyrene,

acetophenone Acetophenone is the organic compound with the chemical formula, formula C6H5C(O)CH3. It is the simplest aromatic ketone. This colorless, viscous liquid is a precursor to useful resins and fragrances. Production Acetophenone is formed as a byprodu ...

, and cumyl alcohol. Its formula is C₆H₅C(CH₃)₂OOH. It is produced by treatment of cumene with oxygen, an

autoxidation Autoxidation (sometimes auto-oxidation) refers to oxidations brought about by reactions with oxygen at normal temperatures, without the intervention of flame or electric spark. The term is usually used to describe the gradual degradation of organic ...

. At temperatures >100 °C, oxygen is passed through liquid cumene: : + O₂ →

Dicumyl peroxide Dicumyl peroxide is an organic compound with the formula (Me = CH3). Classified as a dialky peroxide, it is produced on a large scale industrially for use as an initiator for the production of low density polyethylene. Production It is synth ...

is a side product.

Applications

Cumene hydroperoxide is an intermediate in the

cumene process The cumene process (cumene-phenol process, Hock process) is an industrial process for synthesizing phenol and acetone from benzene and propylene. The term stems from cumene (isopropyl benzene), the intermediate material during the process. It w ...

for producing

phenol Phenol (also called carbolic acid) is an aromatic organic compound with the molecular formula . It is a white crystalline solid that is volatile. The molecule consists of a phenyl group () bonded to a hydroxy group (). Mildly acidic, it r ...

and

acetone Acetone (2-propanone or dimethyl ketone), is an organic compound with the formula . It is the simplest and smallest ketone (). It is a colorless, highly volatile and flammable liquid with a characteristic pungent odour. Acetone is miscibl ...

from

benzene Benzene is an organic chemical compound with the molecular formula C6H6. The benzene molecule is composed of six carbon atoms joined in a planar ring with one hydrogen atom attached to each. Because it contains only carbon and hydrogen atoms ...

and

propene Propylene, also known as propene, is an unsaturated organic compound with the chemical formula CH3CH=CH2. It has one double bond, and is the second simplest member of the alkene class of hydrocarbons. It is a colorless gas with a faint petrol ...

. :: Cumene hydroperoxide is a free radical initiator for production of

acrylate Acrylates (IUPAC: prop-2-enoates) are the salts, esters, and conjugate bases of acrylic acid. The acrylate ion is the anion C H2=CHC OO−. Often, acrylate refers to esters of acrylic acid, the most common member being methyl acrylate. These acr ...

s. Cumene hydroperoxide is involved as an organic peroxide in the manufacturing of

propylene oxide Propylene oxide is an acutely toxic and carcinogenic organic compound with the molecular formula CH3CHCH2O. This colourless volatile liquid with an odour similar to ether, is produced on a large scale industrially. Its major application is its us ...

by the oxidation of

propylene Propylene, also known as propene, is an unsaturated organic compound with the chemical formula CH3CH=CH2. It has one double bond, and is the second simplest member of the alkene class of hydrocarbons. It is a colorless gas with a faint petro ...

. This technology was commercialized by Sumitomo Chemical. The oxidation by cumene hydroperoxide of propylene affords propylene oxide and the byproduct cumyl alcohol. The reaction follows this stoichiometry: : + → + Dehydrating and hydrogenating cumyl alcohol recycles the cumene.

Safety

Cumene hydroperoxide, like all organic peroxides, is potentially explosive. It is also toxic, corrosive and flammable as well as a skin-irritant.

References

Related terms

Cumene process The cumene process (cumene-phenol process, Hock process) is an industrial process for synthesizing phenol and acetone from benzene and propylene. The term stems from cumene (isopropyl benzene), the intermediate material during the process. It w ...

* 2-hydroperoxypropan-2-ylbenzene

External links

Cumene hydroperoxide
at International Chemical Safety Cards {{Authority control Hydroperoxides