Toluene
Toluene is a clear, colorless aromatic hydrocarbon solvent with a distinct sweet odor. It is widely used as an industrial solvent and chemical feedstock due to its excellent solvency, volatility, and chemical stability. Toluene plays a critical role in the production of paints, coatings, adhesives, rubber, and various chemicals. It is also used as a fuel additive and in the manufacture of explosives and pharmaceuticals. Its versatility makes it a cornerstone in multiple industrial sectors.
Toluene
Primary Uses
- Chemical Industry
- Solvent: Used extensively as a solvent in paints, coatings, adhesives, inks, and cleaning agents.
- Chemical Intermediate: Feedstock for producing benzene, benzoic acid, benzyl chloride, and other aromatic chemicals.
- Production of Toluene Diisocyanate (TDI): Key raw material in polyurethane foam manufacture.
- Manufacture of Explosives: Used in production of trinitrotoluene (TNT).
- Paints and Coatings Industry
- Thinner and Diluent: Facilitates application and drying of paints and varnishes.
- Degreasing Agent: Used to clean surfaces before painting.
- Rubber Industry
- Rubber Solvent: Used to dissolve and process natural and synthetic rubber.
- Adhesive Production: Key ingredient in rubber-based adhesives.
Secondary Uses
- Fuel Industry
- Octane Booster: Added to gasoline to improve combustion efficiency and reduce engine knocking.
- Aviation Fuel Component: Used in jet fuels as a component to enhance performance.
- Pharmaceutical Industry
- Intermediate in Drug Synthesis: Used as a solvent or reagent in various pharmaceutical manufacturing processes.
- Laboratory Use
- Extraction Solvent: Employed in analytical and preparative chemistry for extraction and purification processes.
- Printing Industry
- Ink Solvent: Used in printing inks to improve flow and drying.
- Adhesives and Sealants
- Solvent Carrier: Enhances formulation and application of adhesives and sealants.
1. Basic Identification Attributes
- Chemical Name (IUPAC): Methylbenzene
- Common/Trade Name: Toluene
- CAS Number: 108-88-3
- HS Code: 2902.30.00
- Synonyms: Methylbenzene, Phenylmethane
2. Physical & Chemical Properties
- Physical State: Clear, colorless liquid
- Color & Odor: Colorless; sweet, aromatic odor
- Boiling Point: 110.6 °C
- Melting Point: -95 °C
- Density: 0.8669 g/cm³ at 20 °C
- Flash Point: 4 °C (closed cup)
- Solubility: Insoluble in water; miscible with organic solvents like alcohol, ether, acetone
- Vapor Pressure: 28 mm Hg at 25 °C
- Refractive Index: 1.496 at 20 °C
3. Safety & Hazard Attributes
- GHS Classification:
- Flammable liquid (Category 2)
- Specific target organ toxicity — single exposure (Category 3, narcotic effects)
- Toxicity: Moderate toxicity via inhalation, ingestion, and skin absorption; can affect central nervous system.
- Exposure Limits:
- OSHA PEL: 200 ppm (8-hour TWA)
- ACGIH TLV: 20 ppm (8-hour TWA)
4. Storage & Handling Attributes
- Storage Conditions: Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated area away from sources of ignition and incompatible materials.
- Container Type: Steel drums, bulk tanks, or suitable solvent containers.
- Shelf Life: Stable under recommended storage conditions for several years.
- Handling Precautions: Use explosion-proof equipment; avoid inhalation and skin contact; ensure grounding to prevent static discharge.
5. Regulatory & Compliance Attributes
- Complies with REACH, TSCA, OSHA, and GHS requirements.
- Listed on major chemical inventories worldwide.
- Classified and labeled according to international transport regulations (UN 1294).
- Subject to environmental regulations due to VOC content.
6. Environmental & Health Impact
- Biodegradability: Readily biodegradable under aerobic conditions.
- Ecotoxicity: Toxic to aquatic organisms; avoid environmental discharge.
- Bioaccumulation: Low potential.
- Environmental Fate: Volatile and may contribute to air pollution and smog formation.
Safety Handling Precautions
- PPE Required: Flame-resistant gloves, goggles, and respirators in poorly ventilated areas.
- Handling Guidelines: Avoid ignition sources; use in well-ventilated areas or fume hoods.
- Storage Measures: Ground and bond containers during transfer; store away from oxidizers.
First Aid Measures
- Inhalation: Move to fresh air immediately; seek medical attention if symptoms like dizziness or headache persist.
- Skin Contact: Wash thoroughly with soap and water; remove contaminated clothing.
- Eye Contact: Rinse eyes with water for at least 15 minutes; seek medical help if irritation continues.
- Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting; seek immediate medical attention.
Firefighting Measures
- Fire Hazards: Highly flammable liquid and vapor; vapors can form explosive mixtures with air.
- Extinguishing Media: Use alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical powder, CO₂, or water spray.
- Hazardous Combustion Products: Carbon oxides, benzene, and other toxic fumes.
Related products
Acetone
Acetone (chemical formula CH₃COCH₃) is the simplest and most widely used ketone, appearing as a clear, colorless, volatile liquid with a characteristic sweet, pungent odor. Industrial Grade Acetone is manufactured with a minimum purity of 99.5%, offering aggressive solvent power, rapid evaporation rate, and complete miscibility with water and most organic solvents. Its combination of high solvency, low toxicity relative to other industrial solvents, and favorable regulatory status makes it an indispensable chemical in manufacturing, cleaning, and formulation processes across numerous heavy industries.
Butyl Acetate
Butyl Acetate is a clear, colorless liquid with a characteristic pleasant fruity odor similar to pears or bananas. It is an ester formed from butanol and acetic acid. Due to its excellent solvent properties, moderate evaporation rate, and relatively low toxicity, it is widely used in industrial, pharmaceutical, food flavoring, and cosmetic applications. It dissolves many resins and polymers and is prized for improving flow and finish in coatings and inks.
Ink reducer (Ethanol)
Ink reducer (Ethanol) is a volatile, colorless liquid used to adjust the viscosity, flow, and drying time of printing inks. Composed primarily of high-purity ethanol (ethyl alcohol), it acts as a solvent or diluent in various ink systems—particularly in flexographic, gravure, and screen printing. This reducer enhances printability by improving ink transfer, leveling, and penetration into substrates. Ink reducers based on ethanol are fast-drying and widely compatible with alcohol-soluble and water-alcohol hybrid inks used in packaging, label printing, and paper conversion industries.
Methoxy Propanol Glycol Ether
Methoxy Propanol Glycol Ether, commonly known as PM Glycol Ether, is a clear, colorless liquid with a mild ether-like odor. It belongs to the glycol ether family and is widely used as a solvent in coatings, inks, cleaning products, and industrial applications due to its excellent solvency, low volatility, and favorable evaporation rate. PM Glycol Ether is miscible with water and many organic solvents, making it versatile for a broad range of formulations.
Methylene Chloride (Dichloromethane)
Methylene Chloride (Dichloromethane), also known as methylene chloride, is a volatile, colorless liquid with a sweet, chloroform-like odor. It is a chlorinated solvent widely used in industrial, pharmaceutical, and laboratory applications due to its excellent solvent properties, including high volatility, moderate polarity, and low boiling point (about 39.6°C). DCM is prized for its ability to dissolve a wide range of organic compounds, making it ideal for extraction, paint stripping, degreasing, and chemical processing. However, due to health and environmental concerns, its use is regulated and controlled in many countries.
N-Propanol
N-Propanol, also known as n-Propyl Alcohol or 1-Propanol, is a clear, colorless, low-viscosity liquid with a characteristic mild alcohol-like odor. It is a primary alcohol with the molecular formula C₃H₈O, fully miscible with water and common organic solvents such as alcohols, ketones, ethers, glycols, and hydrocarbons. This high-purity, semi-volatile, polar solvent serves as both a versatile solvent and a chemical intermediate across multiple industrial sectors. N-Propanol has a flash point of 15–23°C and is classified as a highly flammable liquid. Technical grade N-Propanol is manufactured for industrial applications and is not intended for direct human consumption unless specifically certified as USP or Food Grade.
Normal Butanol
Normal Butanol is a straight-chain primary alcohol with the chemical formula C4H10O. It is a colorless, flammable liquid with a characteristic alcoholic odor. Known for its good solvent properties and moderate evaporation rate, n-Butanol is widely used in industrial applications such as solvents for paints, coatings, adhesives, and as an intermediate in chemical synthesis.
Turkey Red Oil (Sulphated Castor Oil)
Turkey Red Oil (Sulphated Castor Oil), also known as Sulphated Castor Oil, is a water-soluble derivative of castor oil produced by the sulfonation of castor oil. It appears as a viscous, amber to dark brown liquid with excellent emulsifying, detergent, and wetting properties. Turkey Red Oil is widely used as a natural surfactant and emulsifier in various industrial and personal care applications. It is known for its biodegradability, mildness, and ability to stabilize oil-in-water emulsions. Traditionally used in textile processing as a softener and lubricant, it now finds broad usage in cosmetics, detergents, leather processing, and cleaning products due to its unique functional attributes.

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