Benzene: Uses

Intermediate	End Use/Products
Ethylbenzene	Used to produce the phenylethene (styrene) monomer for manufacturing polystyrene used in packaging, insulation etc.
Cumene	Used in the production of phenol, which in turn is used in the manufacture of a wide range of products from resins and plastics to weed killers like 2,4-D (2,4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) and MCPA (2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid).
Cyclohexane	Used to make hexanedioic acid (adipic acid) for nylon production.
Maleic anhydride	This is used in the production of unsaturated polyester resins, used with glass fibre reinforcement to manufacture boats, translucent roof sheeting, baths and shower trays. Mixed with powders, such as calcium carbonate, the resin can be moulded to make synthetic marble, onyx and granite for wash basins, fire surrounds etc.
Alkylbenzenes	These are used to make the "surfactants" in detergent production .
Chlorobenzene	Used in the manufacture of insecticides like tetradifon (1,2,4-trichloro-5-[(4-chlorophenyl)-sulphonyl]-benzene).
Nitrobenzene	Used to produce aromatic amines (e.g. phenylamine), azo-dyes and explosives like methyl-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TNT).

Benzene used to be a commonly used solvent, but in many cases safer solvents have now replaced it (for example methylbenzene or non-aromatic solvents). Research chemists no longer use it, and its use as a solvent in industry is carefully controlled.

Benzene and Fuel

Aromatics, like benzene, methylbenzene (toluene) and dimethylbenzene (xylene), are natural components of petrol (commonly 3- 9 %), and are also produced by its combustion. Concerns over benzene levels in air pollution have led to much stricter limits in many countries (< 1% benzene from 2000 in EU). Much research work is based around developing cleaner fuels for transport