The process whereby heavy molecules of naphtha or petroleum are broken down into hydrocarbons of lower molecular weight (especially in the oil-refining process).
Reaction in which a large alkane molecule is broken down by heat into a smaller alkane and a small alkene molecule. The reaction is carried out at a high temperature (600şC or higher) and often in the presence of a catalyst. Cracking is a commonly used process in the petrochemical industry.
It is the main method of preparation of alkenes and is also used to manufacture gasoline from the higher-boiling-point fractions that are obtained by fractional distillation (fractionation) of crude oil. + prikaži više