This test method is suitable for setting specifications on the materials referenced in 1.2 and for use as an internal quality control tool where isopropylbenzene is produced or is used in a manufacturing process. It may also be used in development or research work involving isopropylbenzene.

This test method is useful in determining the purity of isopropylbenzene with normal impurities present including diisopropylbenzenes. If extremely high boiling or unusual impurities are present in the isopropylbenzene, this test method would not necessarily detect them and the purity calculation would be erroneous.

Cumene hydroperoxide, if present, will yield decomposition products that will elute in the chromatogram thereby giving incorrect results.

The nonaromatic hydrocarbons commonly present from the isopropylbenzene manufacturing process will interfere with the determination of benzene when Column A in Table 1 is used.

The internal standard must be sufficiently resolved from any impurity and the isopropylbenzene peak.

1.1 This test method covers the determination of the purity of isopropylbenzene (cumene) by gas chromatography.

1.2 This test method has been found applicable to the measurement of impurities such as nonaromatic hydrocarbons, benzene, ethylbenzene, t-butylbenzene, n-propylbenzene, alpha-methylstyrene, sec-butylbenzene, and diisopropylbenzene, which are common to the manufacturing process of isopropylbenzene. Limit of detection for these impurities is 10 mg/kg (see 5.1).

1.3 In determining the conformance of the test results using this method to applicable specifications, results shall be rounded off in accordance with the rounding-off method of Practice E 29.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard statements, see Section 7.