MOLECULE

1,4-Diethylbenzene

1,4-Diethylbenzene, also known as p-diethylbenzene, belongs to the class of organic compounds known as benzene and substituted derivatives. These are aromatic compounds containing one monocyclic ring system consisting of benzene. 1,4-Diethylbenzene is a diethylated derivative of benzene. It consists of a benzene ring with two ethyl substituents attached to it in a para distribution. 1,4-Diethylbenzene belongs to the group of compounds known as diethylbenzenes with the formula C6H4(C2H5)2. There are three known diethylbenzenes: ortho-, meta- and para-diethylbenzene. Meta- and para-diethylbenzene are of greater commercial significance. The tree isomers are colorless liquids. Diethylbenzenes is produced by alkylation of benzene with ethylene groups. Using shape-selective zeolite catalysts, the para isomer can be produced with high selectivity. Diethylbenzene is used in a mixture with methyl and/or ethyl biphenyls as a low temperature heat transfer fluid. 1,4-DiethylBenzene has been detected as a volatile component of cannabis (PMID: 26657499) and, as such, it can also be detected as constituent of marijuana smoke (https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-947-9_2). 1,4-Diethylbenzene is volatilized during the combustion of cannabis.