Styrene and phenol industry facts: identify the WRONG statement among the following.
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AFor styrene manufacture, the major raw materials are benzene and ethylene.
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BA key styrene copolymer is SBR, widely used in automobile tyres.
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CPhenol manufacture by the chlorobenzene–caustic route involves chlorination of benzene, causticisation, and hydrolysis.
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DThe chlorobenzene–caustic process for phenol remains competitive even without low-cost chlorine supply.
Answer
Correct Answer: The chlorobenzene–caustic process for phenol remains competitive even without low-cost chlorine supply.
Explanation
Introduction / Context:This checks knowledge of integrated feedstocks and economic drivers in aromatic chemicals. Knowing which processes hinge on cheap chlorine or specific feeds helps evaluate competitiveness.
Concept / Approach:Styrene: benzene + ethylene → ethylbenzene → dehydrogenation to styrene (true). SBR is a styrene copolymer used in tyres (true). The chlorobenzene–caustic route to phenol indeed entails chlorination, causticisation, and hydrolysis (true). The questionable claim is that this phenol route is competitive even without low-cost chlorine; in reality, its economics depend strongly on chlorine cost and alternatives (e.g., cumene route) often dominate.
Final Answer:The chlorobenzene–caustic process for phenol remains competitive even without low-cost chlorine supply.