Product

Methylcyclohexane (MCH) is a saturated, monocyclic hydrocarbon (cycloalkane) with the molecular formula C₆H₁₁CH₃, consisting of a six-membered carbon ring with a single methyl substituent. A colorless, highly flammable liquid with a faint petroleum-like odor, it occurs naturally in crude oil naphtha fractions.

Production

Methylcyclohexane is recovered from naphtha streams and is also generated as a by-product in catalytic reforming units, where it is mainly dehydrogenated to toluene.

Industrial Uses

In catalytic naphtha reforming, methylcyclohexane is primarily dehydrogenated to toluene — the key reaction that makes it a valuable feedstock component for BTX aromatics production and for boosting the octane rating of reformate. 

In gasoline blending, methylcyclohexane is used as a minor constituent of motor fuel (0.1–1.7% in US gasoline), contributing moderate octane.

Methylcyclohexane is also used as a non-polar industrial solvent, with properties similar to heptane but a higher boiling point such as for rubber (natural and synthetic), chlorinated rubber, polystyrene, cellulose esters.

Other industrial uses include:

• Correction fluids: key solvent component in products such as White-Out
• Defense / aerospace: PF-1 priming fluid in cruise missile fuel systems (aids cold-start with JP-10 jet fuel)
• Hydrogen carrier: under investigation as a liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC) due to reversible dehydrogenation to toluene