''o''-Cymene is an

organic compound In chemistry, organic compounds are generally any chemical compounds that contain carbon-hydrogen or carbon-carbon bonds. Due to carbon's ability to catenate (form chains with other carbon atoms), millions of organic compounds are known. The ...

classified as an aromatic hydrocarbon. Its structure consists of a

benzene Benzene is an organic chemical compound with the molecular formula C6H6. The benzene molecule is composed of six carbon atoms joined in a planar ring with one hydrogen atom attached to each. Because it contains only carbon and hydrogen atoms, ...

ring ''ortho''-substituted with a methyl group and an isopropyl group. It is a flammable colorless liquid which is nearly insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents.

Isomers and production

In addition to ''o''-cymene, there are two other geometric isomers called ''m''-cymene, in which the alkyl groups are ''meta''-substituted, and ''p''-cymene, in which they are ''para''-substituted. ''p''-Cymene is the only isomer found in nature. The three isomers form the group of

cymenes The cymenes (methylcumenes, isopropyltoluenes) constitute a group of substances of aromatic hydrocarbons, which structure consists of a benzene ring with an isopropyl group (−CH(CH3)2), and a methyl group (−CH3) as a substituent. Through their d ...

. Cymenes can be produced by

alkylation Alkylation is the transfer of an alkyl group from one molecule to another. The alkyl group may be transferred as an alkyl carbocation, a free radical, a carbanion, or a carbene (or their equivalents). Alkylating agents are reagents for effecting ...

toluene Toluene (), also known as toluol (), is a substituted aromatic hydrocarbon. It is a colorless, water-insoluble liquid with the smell associated with paint thinners. It is a mono-substituted benzene derivative, consisting of a methyl group (CH3) at ...

with

propylene Propylene, also known as propene, is an unsaturated organic compound with the chemical formula CH3CH=CH2. It has one double bond, and is the second simplest member of the alkene class of hydrocarbons. It is a colorless gas with a faint petrole ...

References

Alkylbenzenes C4-Benzenes {{Hydrocarbons