Chemical Glossary

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n-Butanol

N-Butanol is an oxo-alcohol mainly used in the production of the butyl acrylate, which finds uses in the coatings industry. Others uses are in smaller volume acetate and glycol ether formulations. It is also used directly as a solvent. Most butanol is manufactured propylene with syngas in an oxo-process, then catalytically hydrogenated. Another major route, developed by Shell involves a one-step reaction with propylene and co-produces 2-ethylhexanol. There are other routes, including fermentation, which is not commercially viable. N-Butanol is a propylene derivative, and is produced in all regions.

Naphtha

Naphtha refers to a range of middle distillate streams whose composition lies part way between gasoline and kerosene. Paraffinic naphtha is a preferred feedstock for petrochemical production via the steam cracking to ethylene and co-products. Naphtha streams with a higher aromatic content are meanwhile processed in reformers to make additional gasoline as well as producing valuable aromatics compounds for the petrochemical industry.

Natural Gas

Natural gas is the name given to dry gas streams composing mainly of methane (CH4). It may also contain small volumes of ethane, propane and butane as well as traces of other gases, such as carbon dioxide. Various components of natural gas is separated via distillation and are used to make methanol and various olefins.

Nitrobenzene

Nitrobenzene is an aromatic derivative produced by nitration of benzene with nitric acid in the presence of sulfuric acid. Almost all nitrobenzene is converted to aniline by hydrogenation.

Nylon

Nylons (polyamides) are the oldest and largest volume engineering polymers. Nylon refers to a family of a highly versatile materials that are consumed in a variety of applications including fibers, films and molded materials. Nylons are strong, tough polymers with good resistance to elevated temperatures and attack by chemicals.

Nylon Intermediates

The Nylon Intermediates are the family of chemicals used in the production of the nylon family of polymers.
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