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C8 Aromatics Cut
Names
Mixed Xylenes
Link
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xylene
Insight Articles
#PS106
xylenes mixedxylenes ethylbenzene c8aromatics
Main Product
C8 Aromatics
Segment
Chemicals
Main-Family
Aromatics
Sub-Family
C8 Aromatics
Physical State

Liquid

Table Map  

Description

The C8 aromatics fraction is the mixed xylenes cut produced downstream of the aromatics extraction unit, containing four structural isomers with the molecular formula C₈H₁₀ — three xylene isomers and ethylbenzene. It is the second-most important aromatic product in world chemical consumption, ranking behind benzene.

Origin and Composition

The C8 aromatics fraction originates primarily from catalytic reforming of naphtha, where the reformate stream is rich in C₆–C₈ aromatics. After solvent extraction (typically using Sulfolane or N-Formylmorpholine) separates the aromatic fraction from paraffins and naphthenes, the BTX block fractionates benzene and toluene overhead, leaving the C8 cut as the heavier bottom product. A secondary source is pyrolysis gasoline (pygas) from steam cracking units.

The four components of the C8 fraction are:

Component Formula Boiling Point Typical Content Primary Use
para-Xylene
(PX)		 C₈H₁₀ 138.4°C ~20–24% Terephthalic acid
(PET, polyester fibers) 
meta-Xylene (MX) C₈H₁₀ 139.1°C ~40–45% Isophthalic acid, solvents 
ortho-Xylene (OX) C₈H₁₀ 144.4°C ~20–25% Phthalic anhydride 
Ethylbenzene (EB) C₈H₁₀ 136.2°C ≤18.5% Styrene monomer production 


All four components share the same molecular weight (106.17 g/mol) and are colorless liquids at ambient conditions.

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Products Picture
The four C8 aromatic molecules in the C8 aromatics cut (or mixed xylenes)
Identifiers

No Identifiers defined

Chemical Data
Chemical Formula

C8H10

Molecular Weight (g/mol)
106.16
Sulfur Content (wt%)
0
Specific Gravity
0.86
Crude Data
API Gravity
32.27
Country
Product Settings
Default
Status
A
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Transaction Name Date
Modified by UserPic   Kokel, Nicolas 5/26/2026 11:21 AM
Added by UserPic   Kokel, Nicolas 3/26/2021 1:31 PM