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Toluene
also known as methylbenzene, or Toluol, is a clear water-insoluble liquid with the typical smell of paint thinners, reminiscent of the related compound benzene. It is an aromatic hydrocarbon that is widely used as an industrial feedstock and as a solvent. Like other solvents, toluene is also used as an inhalant drug for its intoxicating properties; however this causes severe neurological harm.
Chemicals Toluene
- Synonyms: Methylbenzene; Toluol; Phenylmethane
- CAS No.: 108-88-3
- Molecular Weight: 92.14
- Chemical Formula: C6H5-CH3
- Health Rating: 2 - Moderate (Life)
- Flammability Rating: 3 - Severe (Flammable)
- Reactivity Rating: 1 - Slight
- Contact Rating: 3 - Severe (Life)
- Lab Protective Equip: GOGGLES & SHIELD; LAB COAT & APRON; VENT HOOD; PROPER GLOVES; CLASS B EXTINGUISHER
- Storage Color Code: Red (Flammable)
Properties
- Synonyms: Methylbenzene; Toluol; Phenylmethane
- CAS No.: 108-88-3
- Molecular Weight: 92.14
- Chemical Formula: C6H5-CH3
- Molecular formula C7H8 (C6H5CH3)
- Toluene CAS number 108-88-3
Physical and Chemical Properties
- Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid.
- Odor: Aromatic benzene-like.
- Solubility: 0.05 gm/100gm water @ 20C (68F).
- Specific Gravity: 0.86 @ 20C / 4 C
- pH: No information found.
- % Volatiles by volume @ 21C (70F): 100
- Boiling Point: 111C (232F)
- Melting Point: -95C (-139F)
- Vapor Density (Air=1): 3.14
- Vapor Pressure (mm Hg): 22 @ 20C (68F)
- Evaporation Rate (BuAc=1): 2.24
- Density 0.8669 g/mL, liquid
- Viscosity 0.590 cP at 20oC
- Structure Dipole moment 0.36 D
- Hazards MSDS External MSDS
Toluene reacts as a normal aromatic hydrocarbon towards electrophilic aromatic substitution.The methyl group makes it around 25 times more reactive than benzene in such reactions.
It undergoes smooth sulfonation to give p-toluenesulfonic acid, and chlorination by Cl2 in the presence of FeCl3 to give ortho and para isomers of chlorotoluene.
It undergoes nitration to give ortho and para nitrotoluene isomers, but if heated it can give dinitrotoluene and ultimately the explosive trinitrotoluene
With other reagents the methyl side chain in toluene may react, undergoing oxidation. Reaction with potassium permanganate leads to benzoic acid, whereas reaction with chromyl chloride leads to benzaldehyde (otard reaction).
Halogenation can be performed under free radical conditions. For example, N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) heated with toluene in the presence of AIBN leads to benzyl bromide.
Catalytic hydrogenation of toluene to methylcyclohexane requires a high pressure of hydrogen to go to completion, because of the stability of the aromatic system. pKa is approximately 45.
Usage
- Toluene is an Aromatic chemical produced by Petroleum Refineries/ Petrochemical Plants. Steel plants produce Toluene from the by-product recovery plant where aromatics are recovered from the coke oven gas.
- Toluene is used mainly in production of various downstream petrochemicals, pesticides, explosives (Tri-Nitro Toluene), Adhesives, Saccharins, etc. Besides Toluene finds a major end-use in paint industry as thinner. Toluene is also used as solvents in various chemical industries.
- Toluene is a parent substance in the manufacture of benzene derivatives, caprolactam, saccharine, pharmaceuticals, dyes, perfumes, TNT and detergents. It is used in fuels (anti-knock additive) and as a solvent for paints and coatings, rubber, resins, thinners in nitrocellulose lacquers and adhesives.
- It serves as a raw material in the manufacture of phenol (predominantly in Western Europe), benzene, cresol (chiefly Japan) and a wide range of other substances.
- Toluene chemical is also known as phenyl-methane or methyl-benzene.
- This chemical is transparent like pure water but not soluble in water. This has a smell like paint thinners and redolent of the sweet fragrance alike benzene compound.
- Toluene chemicals belong to aromatic hydrocarbon group and are widely used as solvents and industrial feedstock. Further, these can be used as inhalant drugs for their intoxicating properties.
Emergency Overview
POISON! DANGER! HARMFUL OR FATAL IF SWALLOWED. HARMFUL IF INHALED OR ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN. VAPOR HARMFUL. FLAMMABLE LIQUID AND VAPOR. MAY AFFECT LIVER, KIDNEYS, BLOOD SYSTEM, OR CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. CAUSES IRRITATION TO SKIN, EYES AND RESPIRATORY TRACT.
Hazards Identification
- Health Rating: 2 - Moderate (Life)
- Flammability Rating: 3 - Severe (Flammable)
- Reactivity Rating: 1 - Slight
- Contact Rating: 3 - Severe (Life)
- Lab Protective Equip: GOGGLES & SHIELD; LAB COAT & APRON; VENT HOOD; PROPER GLOVES; CLASS B EXTINGUISHER
- Storage Color Code: Red (Flammable)
Handling and Storage
- Protect against physical damage. Store in a cool, dry well-ventilated location, away from any area where the fire hazard may be acute. Outside or detached storage is preferred. Separate from incompatibles.
- Containers should be bonded and grounded for transfers to avoid static sparks. Storage and use areas should be No Smoking areas. Use non-sparking type tools and equipment, including explosion proof ventilation.
- Containers of this material may be hazardous when empty since they retain product residues (vapors, liquid); observe all warnings and precautions listed for the product.
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