Benzene: Characteristics
Why sulphur traces poison benzene buyers' catalysts
Why sulphur traces poison benzene buyers' catalysts What this tab covers The physical and chemical properties that set its grade, price and uses, with the commercial grades and the standards that define them.Purity, sulphur and thiophene content matter because benzene goes into catalytic processes (alkylation, hydrogenation) where impurities poison catalysts. Freezing point matters for shipping.
Properties that matter commercially
| Property | Value / specification | Why it matters | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purity | at least 99.80-99.90% for nitration grade (ASTM D2359 / D4734 type specifications, indicative) | Derivative catalysts and product colour | indicative |
| Freezing point | 5.5 C | Can solidify in winter shipping and storage | standard data |
| Boiling point | 80.1 C | Separation from toluene (111 C) by distillation | standard data |
| Thiophene and sulphur | typically below 1 ppm sulphur (indicative) | Sulphur poisons hydrogenation catalysts for cyclohexane | indicative |
Commercial grades
- Nitration grade (for aniline and general derivatives)
- Hydrogenation grade (low sulphur, for cyclohexane)
- Coke-oven (coking) benzene, hydrorefined