Xylenes (Mixed)

Xylenes (Mixed)

Mixed xylenes comprise a commercially available, narrow boiling range, aromatic hydrocarbon stream that contains a mixture of C8H10 aromatics including paraxylene (p-xylene, or PX), orthoxylene (o-xylene, or OX), metaxylene (m-xylene), and ethylbenzene (EB). Mixed xylenes are produced on a commercial scale by various refining processes including catalytic reforming of naphtha, toluene disproportionation, toluene transalkylation, and as a byproduct of ethylene steam crackers. PX is the largest use for mixed xylenes, and that molecule is extracted and used to produce terephthalic acid for polyester production.