Sub-Product

Trimethylbenzenes (TMBs) are aromatic hydrocarbons consisting of a benzene ring with three methyl groups, forming three structural isomers:

TMBs are produced during catalytic reforming of petroleum naphtha, appearing in the reformate along with other aromatics. The reforming process transforms paraffins and naphthenes into aromatics-rich products. TMBs are also present in steam cracking products, specifically in pyrolysis gasoline (py-gas) and in C₉⁺ streams containing monoaromatics.

In naphtha reformate, pseudocumene (1,2,4-TMB) can be readily recovered by conventional distillation. In steam cracking of naphtha, aromatics (including TMBs) typically make up 1-10 wt% of the products, mainly as BTX. Commercial C₉ aromatic naphtha typically contains 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene at 20-45%, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene at 8-15%.

Source: Perplexity A.I. search, 3rd Jan 2024, Various prompts related to 'Trimethylbenzene'.