Cymene | |
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1-Methyl-4-(1-methylethyl)benzene |
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Other names
4-Isopropyltoluene; Paracymene |
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Identifiers | |
CAS number | 99-87-6 |
PubChem | 7463 |
ChemSpider | 7183 |
UNII | 1G1C8T1N7Q |
EC number | 202-796-7 |
KEGG | C06575 |
ChEBI | CHEBI:28768 |
ChEMBL | CHEMBL442915 |
Jmol-3D images | Image 1 |
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Properties | |
Molecular formula | C10H14 |
Molar mass | 134.21 g/mol |
Appearance | Colourless liquid |
Density | 0.857 g/cm3 |
Melting point |
-68°C |
Boiling point |
177°C |
Solubility in water | Negligible |
Hazards | |
R-phrases | R10 |
S-phrases | S16 |
Flash point | 47°C |
Autoignition temperature |
435°C |
(verify) (what is: / ?) Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) |
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Infobox references |
Cymene, or p-cymene, is a naturally occurring aromatic organic compound. It is classified as a hydrocarbon related to a monoterpene. Its structure consists of a benzene ring para-substituted with a methyl group and an isopropyl group. It is insoluble in water, but miscible with ethanol and ether.
Cymene is a constituent of a number of essential oils, most commonly the oil of cumin and thyme.
There are two less common geometric isomers. o-Cymene, in which the alkyl groups are ortho-substituted, and m-cymene, in which they are meta-substituted. p-Cymene is the only natural isomer.
Cymene is a common ligand for ruthenium. The parent compound is [(η6-cymene)RuCl2]2. This half-sandwich compound is prepared by the reaction of ruthenium trichloride with the terpene α-phellandrene. The osmium complex is also known.[1]
Significant amounts of cymene are formed in sulfite pulping process from the wood terpenes.