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Meaning of cumene in English:

cumene

noun

mass nounChemistry

  • A liquid hydrocarbon made catalytically from benzene, chiefly as an intermediate in phenol synthesis.

    Alternative name: isopropyl benzene; chemical formula: C₆H₅CH(CH₃)₂

    ‘With benzene, it is used to synthesize first cumene and then acetone and phenol.’

Origin

Mid 19th century from Latin cuminum ‘cumin’ + -ene.

Pronunciation

cumene

/ˈkjuːmiːn/