Ethane and Higher Paraffins-Based Chemicals

It is shown earlier that paraffinic hydrocarbons are less reactive than olefins; only a few chemicals are directly based on them. Nevertheless, paraffinic hydrocarbons are the starting materials for the production of olefins. Methane's relation with petrochemicals is primarily through synthesis gas (Chapter 5). Ethane, on the other hand, is a major feedstock for steam crackers for the production of ethylene. Few chemicals could be obtained from the direct reaction of ethane with other reagents. The higher paraffins like propane, its oxidation, deoxidation, and nitration are shown. Butane, its oxidation, isomerization of butane, isobutene chemicals are seen. Pentanes, and heavier ones also have limited direct use in the chemical industry except for the production of light olefins through steam cracking. Chlorination, sulfonation and fermentation using paraffins are shown in the chapter. The chapter reviews the petrochemicals directly produced from ethane and higher paraffins.