Xylene

Xylene

Xylenes (from Greek ξυλος, xylos, "wood") are aromatic hydrocarbons consisting of a benzene ring with two methyl substituents. It is a major petrochemical, produced by catalytic reforming. Xylenes are also produced from coal carbonisation in the manufacture of coke fuel. Representing about 0.5–1% of crude oil, depending on the source, xylenes are hence found in small amounts in gasoline and airplane fuels. Xylene is mainly produced as part of the BTX aromatics (benzene, toluene and xylenes) extracted from the product of catalytic reforming known as "reformate". The mixture is a slightly greasy, colourless liquid commonly encountered as a solvent. It was named in 1851, having been discovered as a constituent of wood tar. Several million tons are produced annually. In 2011, a global consortium began construction of one of the world’s largest xylene plants in Singapore.