Di-methylphenol and its Applications in Production and People‘s Daily Life

di-methylphenol (dcmx) is an important kind of fine chemical raw materials, which are widely applied in industry production and people’s daily life. It can be used as a solvent, fungicide, and an ingredient to make of synthetic antioxidants.  In terms of people’s daily life, it is applied to produce personal care products, such as liquid soap, soap, shower gel, film, glue, oil, textile, and paper.

There are one subcategory of DCMX that will be focused here. - 2, 4 – dichloro- 3, 5 - dimethyl phenol. 2,4-dichloro-3,5-dimethylphenol , as a significant chemical raw material, can be applied to produce phenolic resin and shrinkage agents, pharmaceuticals, disinfectants. From 1960s till now, the way to extract 2, 4 dichloro– 3, 5 - dimethyl phenol dichloro alters. -2, 4- dichloro -3, 5 - dimethyl phenol is a type of organic synthetic raw material, colorless needle crystal.  The chemical property of DCMX is like a needle crystal. Its melting point ranges from 81 F  to 83 F and melting point amounts to 410F. Its relative density is 0.965 and the refractive index 1.542. Its chemical formula is 133-53-9.  It can be mixed with alcohol, ether and other organic solvents.  It can slightly be soluble in water. When the temperature is 68 F, its solubility is 0.2 g/L.

 It is Mainly used in the manufacture of highly efficient low toxicity pesticides, the removal preservatives chlorine -2,4-dichloro-3,5-xylenol, and used for cold rolling of steel rolling oil additives as well, which can prolong the service life of cold rolling oil. In the current world of -2, 4- dichloro- 3, 5 - dimethyl phenol grows in demand because the production is less and it is difficult to meet the demand of the market. At present, -2, 4- dichloro-3, 5 - dimethyl phenol synthesis mainly adopts meta-xylene sulfonated alkali fusion method. The shortcoming of this method is the case that the process is complex. Concentrated sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide of equipment corrosion are serious.  In addition,  this chemical material contains 2, 4 - dimethyl phenol and it is difficult to extract high purity of 3, 5 - dimethyl phenol.

Although these chemicals have a wide application in industry and in people’s daily life, they can contaminate the environment severely.  Thus, great efforts should be made to minimize the pollution and maximize the economic interests on the same time.