P-xylene is a xylene with methyl groups at positions 1 and 4.P-xylene appears as a colorless watery liquid with a sweet odor. Less dense than water. Insoluble in water.
p-Xylene is an isomeric form of xylene. It undergoes Friedel-Crafts acylation reaction with various acids in the presence of zeolites (catalyst).It can be obtained from the mixtures of isomeric forms of xylene and ethylbenzene isolated from the naptha fraction of petroleum. Also, it can be prepared from toluene by employing ZSM (Zeolite Socony Mobil)-5 catalysts.