Propene

Propene, also known as propylene or methyl ethylene, is an unsaturated organic compound having the chemical formula C3H6. It has one double bond, and is the second simplest member of the alkene class of hydrocarbons.

Chemical Properties

Propene is a colorless gas with a slightly sweet smell. It is highly flammable and easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames. It is insoluble in water but soluble in alcohol, ether, acetone, benzene, and chloroform.

Production

Propene is produced from fossil fuels—petroleum, natural gas, and, to a much lesser extent, coal. Propene and benzene are converted to acetone and phenol via the cumene process. Propene is also used to produce isopropanol (propan-2-ol), acrylonitrile, propylene oxide, and polypropylene.

Uses

Propene is the second most important starting product in the petrochemical industry after ethylene. It is the raw material for a wide variety of products. Manufacturers of the plastic polypropylene account for nearly two thirds of all demand. Propene is also used to produce acrylonitrile (ACN), propylene oxide (PO), a number of alcohols, cumene and acrylic acid.

Health Effects

Exposure to propene can cause irritation to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. It can also cause dizziness, light-headedness, and at very high levels, unconsciousness.

See Also

• Ethylene
• Petrochemical industry
• Polypropylene
• Acrylonitrile
• Propylene oxide

Propene Resources
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