Ortho-xylene

Description

Product Overview
Ortho-xylene is a colorless, flammable aromatic hydrocarbon derived from catalytic reforming of naphtha, serving as the essential precursor for phthalic anhydride production. Its key value proposition lies in enabling high-yield oxidation reactions with minimal byproduct formation, directly reducing downstream purification costs. Strategically, it remains indispensable for global plasticizer, polyester resin, and coating supply chains where substitute aromatics cannot match its selective reactivity.

Key Specifications & Technical Characteristics

• Chemical composition: C₈H₁₀ (1,2-dimethylbenzene, ortho isomer)

• Purity level: ≥99.0 wt% (min); premium grade ≥99.5 wt%

• Physical characteristics: Clear, colorless liquid; characteristic aromatic odor; density ~0.88 g/cm³ @ 20°C; boiling point 144°C; freezing point ≤ -25°C

• Packaging options: Bulk in ISO tank containers, coated railcars, or barges; 180 kg net drums available for trial lots

• Shelf life: 24 months under proper storage (cool, dry, nitrogen blanketing recommended; avoid light and air exposure)

Core Industrial Applications

• Primary industries: Phthalic anhydride (PA) manufacturing, specialty solvents, agrochemical intermediates, and alkyd resin production

• Operational use cases: Catalytic partial oxidation to PA (yield efficiency >85 wt%), as a high-octane blending component, and in synthesis of herbicides and phthalate plasticizers (DINP, DIDP)

• Performance advantage over alternatives: Ortho-xylene delivers 12–15% higher PA yield per ton compared to naphthalene, with lower reactor fouling and extended catalyst life, reducing operating expenditure by up to 8% per production cycle

Competitive Advantages

• Quality consistency: Statistical process control ensures ≤0.1% specification deviation across all lots; third-party SGS/Intertek certified

• Supply reliability: Dedicated refinery-paraffin streams with redundant storage (15,000 MT buffer) guarantee 99.5% on-time-in-full delivery

• Logistics capability: Global network of ISO-tank depots covering Asia, Europe, and the Americas; expedited 14-day lead time for spot orders

• Cost & sustainability: Competitive index-linked pricing with low sulfur residue (<5 ppm) enabling cleaner oxidation; full product stewardship documentation and SDS available digitally

Commercial & Supply Information

• Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ): 20 metric tons (one ISO tank)

• Bulk loading capacity: 24 MT per 20-ft ISO tank container (max net weight per container)