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Aromatics

Cumene

Also known as Isopropylbenzene, 2-Phenylpropane, (1-Methylethyl)benzene

CAS 98-82-8Formula C9H12Molar mass 120.20 g/molEC 202-704-5
GHS signal word: Danger. Pictograms: Flammable, Harmful or irritant, Serious health hazard, Hazardous to the environment 97 suppliers listed
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Cumene chemical structure, C9H12, CAS 98-82-8
2D chemical structure

Key facts

What buyers check first

All properties
Appearance
Colorless liquid
Melting point
-96 °C
Boiling point
152.4 °C
Density
0.862 at 20 °C/4 °C
Flash point
39 °C
HS code
290270
Category
Aromatics
UN number
UN 1918
Illustrative photo, 200 litre blue HDPE drums of liquid in a warehouse
Typical packagingIllustrative packaging image, not the actual product

What is Cumene?

Plain description, key identifiers and synonyms

Cumene is an alkylbenzene that is benzene carrying an isopropyl group.

Identifiers

Registry numbers, names and line notations, tap to copy

IUPAC name
cumene
CAS number
98-82-8 CAS number cross-checkedOther or deprecated CAS: 101316-43-2
EC numbers
202-704-5, 309-848-9
Molecular formula
C9H12
UNII
8Q54S3XE7K
MDL number
MFCD00008881
InChIKey
RWGFKTVRMDUZSP-UHFFFAOYSA-N
InChI
InChI=1S/C9H12/c1-8(2)9-6-4-3-5-7-9/h3-8H,1-2H3
SMILES (canonical and isomeric)
CC(C)C1=CC=CC=C1

Synonyms

  • Isopropylbenzene
  • 2-Phenylpropane
  • (1-Methylethyl)benzene
  • Cumol
  • Benzene, (1-methylethyl)-
  • Isopropylbenzol
  • Cumeen
  • Isopropilbenzene
  • Isopropylbenzeen
  • 2-Fenilpropano
  • 2-Fenyl-propaan
  • (propan-2-yl)benzene
  • Isopropyl-benzol
  • Benzene, isopropyl
  • Propane, 2-phenyl
  • Propan-2-ylbenzene
  • RCRA waste number U055
  • Phenol bottoms
  • Isopropyl benzene
  • 2-Phenyl propane
  • i-propylbenzene
  • (Methylethyl)benzene
  • Isopropylbenzen
  • Benzene, isopropyl-
  • Propane, 2-phenyl-
Show all 32 synonyms
  • (1-methylethyl)-benzen
  • Isopropylbenzene standard solution
  • isopropyl-benzene
  • 4-isopropylbenzene
  • Benzene, 1-methylethyl-
  • RCRA waste no. U055
  • cumen

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values and descriptors computed from the structure

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values, check the supplier specification for your grade

Appearance
Colorless liquidexp.
Odour
Gasoline-like odorexp.
Melting point
-96 °Cexp.
Boiling point
152.4 °Cexp.
Density
0.862 at 20 °C/4 °Cexp.
Flash point
39 °Cexp.
Autoignition temperature
423.9 °Cexp.
Solubility
In water, 61.3 mg/L at 25 °Cexp.
Vapour pressure
4.5 mm Hg at 25 °Cexp.

Values vary by grade. Ask suppliers for the COA or TDS of the batch you buy.

Computed descriptors

Calculated from the structure, useful for screening and formulation

Molecular weight
120.20 g/molcalc.
Exact mass
120.0939 Dacalc.
LogP (octanol/water)
2.81calc.
Topological polar surface area
0 Ųcalc.
Hydrogen bond donors
0calc.
Hydrogen bond acceptors
0calc.
Rotatable bonds
1calc.
Heavy atoms
9calc.
Rings
1calc.
Aromatic rings
1calc.
Fraction sp3 carbons
0.33calc.
Formal charge
0calc.
Stereocentres
0calc.
Lipinski rule of five
Passes (0 violations)calc.

Calculated for screening. Confirm critical figures with the supplier.

Murcko scaffold

The ring system that remains when every side chain is removed

Murcko scaffold of this chemical, c1ccccc1

c1ccccc1

1 ring, 6 atoms, the Benzene ring system.

485,677 other chemicals share this scaffold

Safety and hazards

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet

GHS signal word
Danger
GHS02: Flammable
Flammable
GHS07: Harmful or irritant
Harmful or irritant
GHS08: Serious health hazard
Serious health hazard
GHS09: Hazardous to the environment
Hazardous to the environment
321NFPA 704 rating

Hazard statements

  • H226Flammable liquid and vapour.
  • H304May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways.
  • H335May cause respiratory irritation.
  • H350May cause cancer.
  • H411Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
Precautionary statements (23)
  • P203Obtain, read and follow all safety instructions before use.
  • P210Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking.
  • P233Keep container tightly closed.
  • P240Ground and bond container and receiving equipment.
  • P241Use explosion-proof electrical, ventilating and lighting equipment.
  • P242Use non-sparking tools.
  • P243Take action to prevent static discharges.
  • P261Avoid breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
  • P271Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
  • P273Avoid release to the environment.
  • P280Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
  • P301 + P316If swallowed: Get emergency medical help immediately.
  • P303 + P361 + P353If on skin (or hair): Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Rinse skin with water or shower.
  • P304 + P340If inhaled: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
  • P318If exposed or concerned, get medical advice.
  • P319Get medical help if you feel unwell.
  • P331Do not induce vomiting.
  • P370 + P378In case of fire: Use appropriate media to extinguish.
  • P391Collect spillage.
  • P403 + P233Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed.
  • P403 + P235Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep cool.
  • P405Store locked up.
  • P501Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local regulations.
UN number
UN 1918
Transport hazard class
3
Packing group
III

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet (SDS). Classifications can differ by supplier, grade and concentration. Always check the supplier's SDS.

Full safety data and first aid

Cumene suppliers

Sponsored listings first, then the documented ranking: membership, verification, replies, completeness, freshness and ratings

All 97 suppliers
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Suppliers marked Unclaimed profile have not claimed their profile yet. They are not verified by CompoundList, their offers are price on request and details may have changed, so please confirm them with the supplier. Company representatives can claim a profile with a business email on the company's own website domain. Our team verifies each claim and sends the result by email.

Where suppliers are based

97 suppliers in 13 countries

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Cumene price

Indicative price range per kg from live supplier offers

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Uses and applications

What the substance is used for, by industry and function

Used primarily in the production of phenol and acetone.

Used as a thinner for paints, enamels, and lacquers and as a solvent for fats and resins and as such has been suggested as a replacement for benzene.

Component of high octane aviation fuel used in WWII, in production of styrene (Former).

In manufacture of acetophenone and 2-methylstyrene.

Cumene is used as a thinner for paints, lacquers, and enamels and as a component of high octane fuels. Cumene is also used in the manufacture of phenol, acetone, acetophenone, and methylstyrene.

Industrial uses: Solvent, Other, Lubricating agent, Fuel, Fuel agents, Intermediate.

Consumer uses: Intermediate, Other, Lubricating agent, Fuel, Fuel agents.

Functional uses

  • Solubility enhancer
  • Solvent

How it is made

In the UOP (Universal Oil Products) process a fixed bed consisting of polyphosphoric acid on a silica support is used as the catalyst. The reaction takes place mainly in the gas phase at greater than or equal to 200 °C and greater than or equal to 2 MPa. Pure propene or propene with a propane content greater than or equal to 5% is used as raw material, together with benzene (minimum purity 99.5%) in up to 12-fold molar excess, this leads to high distillation costs in the product work-up. The yield of cumene is 97% based on benzene and 90% based on propene.

Read more

The losses are caused by overalkylation and oligomerization of the propene. The high-boiling residue contains 50 - 60% diisopropylbenzenes (o- : m- : p- ratio 1 : 2 : 2 - 3) and numerous other byproducts. It is not possible to recycle these products to the alkylation reactor, because polyphosphoric acid has no transalkylation properties.

The second industrial process works in the liquid phase at 50 - 80 °C, aluminum chloride or the liquid double compound formed from aluminum chloride, (isopropyl-)benzene, and hydrogen chloride is employed as the catalyst. This complex is separated from the product stream, as a heavy phase and is returned to the alkylation reactor. Except for a small purge stream higher alkylated byproducts are recycled to the alkylation step, whereby essentially complete use of both benzene and propene bound in di- and triisopropylbenzenes is achieved by transalkylation.

Regulatory status

Inventories, regulations and trade controls that list this substance

Europe

  • EU harmonised classification (CLP Annex VI)
    Index no: 601-024-00-X

Health and food

  • EU Cosmetics Regulation Annex II, prohibited in cosmetics
    Name: Cumene, Ref no: 1717, Annex ref: II/1717

United States

  • TSCA inventory (USA)
    Status: Active in US commerce

HS code and trade data

Customs classification and reported world trade statistics

Global trade

World import and export statistics for the HS code Cumene is traded under.

HS 2902.70Exact HS code

Cyclic hydrocarbons: cumene

World exports in 2024
$657M
−4.2% vs 2023, imports $675M
2019 to 2024
Top exporters
  1. Singapore43.0%
  2. Japan36.0%
  3. South Korea15.6%
Top importers
  1. China81.6%
  2. India * partner reported4.6%
  3. Italy3.5%

* Partner reported figures, a lower bound.

Reported customs values in USD, not prices.Full trade data

The HS code shown for Cumene is indicative (it was matched by name in the HS nomenclature). Confirm the classification with your customs broker before shipping.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Cumene, based on the data on this page

What is Cumene?

Cumene is an alkylbenzene that is benzene carrying an isopropyl group.

What is the CAS number of Cumene?

The CAS registry number of Cumene is 98-82-8. Other or deprecated CAS numbers: 101316-43-2.

What is the molecular formula and weight of Cumene?

The molecular formula of Cumene is C9H12 and its molar mass is 120.20 g/mol.

What is Cumene used for?

Used primarily in the production of phenol and acetone. Used as a thinner for paints, enamels, and lacquers and as a solvent for fats and resins and as such has been suggested as a replacement for benzene. Component of high octane aviation fuel used in WWII, in production of styrene (Former).

Is Cumene hazardous?

Cumene carries the GHS signal word "Danger". Main hazards: flammable liquid and vapour, may be fatal if swallowed and enters airways, may cause respiratory irritation. This summary is not an SDS, always read the supplier safety data sheet.

What is the HS code of Cumene?

Cumene is usually classified under HS code 290270 (Cumene). This is indicative, confirm it with your customs broker before shipping.

Where can I buy Cumene?

CompoundList lists 97 suppliers of Cumene in United States, China, India, United Arab Emirates and 9 more. Send one free request to get and compare quotes. Your contact details stay private until you accept a quote.

Where can I buy Cumene in India?

9 suppliers in India list Cumene on CompoundList. Filter the suppliers list by country and send a request to compare prices, grades and delivery times.

What is the price of Cumene?

Suppliers quote Cumene on request because prices depend on grade, purity, quantity and destination. A free request on CompoundList gets you several quotes to compare.

Guides for buyers

Practical guides that help when you source, ship or handle Cumene

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Data last updated 7 Oct 2026. Details may have changed, please confirm them with the supplier. Report an error on this page
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