1Methyl2phenylethane

1-Methyl-2-phenylethane, also known as sec-butylbenzene, is an organic compound with the chemical formula C10H14. It is an aromatic hydrocarbon that consists of a benzene ring substituted with a sec-butyl group at one of the carbon atoms. The sec-butyl group is a four-carbon alkyl chain where the attachment to the benzene ring occurs at the second carbon atom of the chain.

This compound can be synthesized through various methods, including Friedel-Crafts alkylation reactions where benzene is reacted with 2-chlorobutane in the presence of a Lewis acid catalyst. It can also be formed by the reduction of appropriate precursors.

1-Methyl-2-phenylethane is a colorless liquid at room temperature and pressure. It is generally insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents like ethanol and ether. Its physical properties, such as boiling point and density, are characteristic of aromatic hydrocarbons of similar molecular weight.

Industrially, sec-butylbenzene may find applications as a solvent or as an intermediate in the synthesis of other chemicals. Its specific uses are often dictated by its reactivity and physical properties. It is not a widely recognized commodity chemical but can be encountered in research and specialized industrial processes. Further investigation into its specific applications and properties would require consulting chemical databases and specialized literature.