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.
Butanol
Butanol (also known as n-Butanol or Normal Butanol) is a clear, colorless liquid with a mild, alcoholic odor. It is a four-carbon primary alcohol with the chemical formula C4H10O. Butanol is moderately soluble in water and miscible with many organic solvents. Its physical and chemical properties make it a versatile solvent and chemical intermediate. Butanol indicates a high purity grade often used in industrial, pharmaceutical, and chemical synthesis applications.
Butyl Glycol
Butyl Glycol, also known as 2-Butoxyethanol, is a colorless to pale yellow liquid with a mild, sweet ether-like odor. It is an organic solvent classified as a glycol ether, with the molecular formula C6H14O2. Butyl Glycol is highly miscible with water, alcohols, and many organic solvents. It is widely used in industrial and commercial applications due to its excellent solvent properties, low volatility, and moderate toxicity. Its high solvency and compatibility with both aqueous and organic phases make it valuable in coatings, cleaning products, inks, and adhesives.
Di Acetone Alcohol
Di Acetone Alcohol (chemical name: 4-Hydroxy-4-methylpentan-2-one) is a clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid with a mild acetone-like odor. It is a versatile organic solvent and intermediate widely used in the manufacture of coatings, adhesives, inks, and specialty chemicals. Di Acetone Alcohol exhibits excellent solvency for resins, oils, and fats, combined with moderate evaporation rate and low volatility compared to acetone, making it suitable for controlled drying applications. It also serves as a chemical intermediate in synthesis reactions and as a component in solvent blends to optimize performance and drying characteristics.
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.
Isophorone
Isophorone is a colorless to pale yellow liquid with a pungent, ketone-like odor. Chemically classified as a cyclic α,β-unsaturated ketone (3,5,5-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-one), it is a solvent widely used in industrial applications. It has good solvency properties for resins, paints, coatings, and inks, combined with relatively slow evaporation compared to other ketones. Isophorone is miscible with many organic solvents and used extensively in manufacturing and chemical synthesis.
Isopropyl Alcohol Tech Grade (IPA)
Isopropyl Alcohol Tech Grade is a colorless, flammable liquid with a strong, characteristic alcohol odor. It is a solution containing approximately 85% isopropanol by volume, with the remainder primarily water. This technical-grade IPA is widely used as a solvent, disinfectant, and cleaning agent in industrial, pharmaceutical, and household applications. The 85% concentration balances efficacy with safety and evaporation rate, making it versatile for various uses.
N-Butanol
N-Butanol (1-butanol) is a four-carbon linear alcohol with the chemical formula C₄H₉OH. It is a colorless, flammable liquid with a mild, alcoholic odor. N-Butanol is widely used as a solvent in paints, coatings, adhesives, and chemical synthesis. It serves as an intermediate in the manufacture of plasticizers, butyl acrylate, and other chemicals. Its moderate volatility and solvent properties make it valuable in industrial and commercial applications.

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