What is Toluene?
Toluene is a clear, colorless liquid with a benzene like odor. The chemical formula of toluene can be written as C6H5CH3.
Toluene is a naturally occurring compound derived primarily from petroleum or petrochemical processes. Toluene is a common component in gasoline, glues, and paint products. Toluene is a liquid, which is colourless, water-insoluble and smells like paint thinners. It is a mono-substituted colourless liquid, consisting of a CH3 group that is attached to a phenyl group.
Properties of Toluene
Toluene is more reactive to electrophiles than the benzene. Due to the greater part of the methyl group than the electron-releasing properties, it reacts normal fragrant in the same position. It faces sulphonation to provide an acid called p-toluenesulfonic and chlorination by Cl2 in the presence of FeCl3 to give ortho and para isomers of chlorotoluene.
| Chemical formula of Toluene | C6H5CH3 |
| Boiling point of Toluene | 111 °C |
| Melting point of Toluene | −95 °C |
| Density of Toluene | 0.87 g/mL |
| Molecular weight of Toluene | 92.141 g/mol |
Toluene structure
Toluene is widely used as an industrial raw material and a solvent for manufacturing of many commercial products, including paints and glues.
Toluene Production
Toluene is naturally found in crude oil and as a by product in the gasoline production. Also, it is obtained as a by product in coke production from coal.
Production of Toluene at industrial level is inexpensive. It is synthesized in various methods. For example, the reaction of benzene with methyl chloride in the presence of aluminium chloride (Lewis acid) to give toluene:
- C6H5H + CH3Cl → C6H5CH3 + HCl
Toluene Uses
Toluene is widely used as a precursor to benzene. The chemical equation for the reaction between toluene and hydrogen gas can be written as follows.
C6H5CH3 + H2 → C6H6 + CH4
While the second most used application involves it’s disproportionate to a mixture of benzene and xylene.
Toluene as a Precursor to Other Chemicals
Along with the synthesis of benzene and xylene, toluene is used in the manufacture of the following
- Polyurethane foam
- Trinitrotoluene – Explosive
- TNT
- Synthetic Drugs.
Toluene as a Solvent
Toluene is a common solvent used for the following:
- Glues
- Paints
- Paint Thinners
- Printing Ink
- Rubber
- Leather Tanners
- Silicone Sealants
- Chemical Reactants
- Lacquers
- Disinfectants.
Other Applications of Toluene
It can be used in internal combustion engines as gasoline fuel.
Niche Applications of Toluene
It is used as a solvent for carbon nanomaterials, nanotubes and fullerenes.
FAQs
1. What is toluene used for?
Toluene is used as a solvent in many consumer products and is used in paint thinners, nail polish remover, glues, and correction fluid. Toluene has many applications in different branches of industry. The flammable, explosive compound known as TNT or trinitrotoluene is important in the explosives’ industry.
2. Is toluene soluble in water?
Toluene is not water- soluble. Toluene is made up of carbon and hydrogen, and its polarity is very small.
3. What does toluene smell like?
Toluene is an aromatic hydrocarbon derivative of methyl-substituted benzene, which exists as a transparent, colourless volatile liquid and has a pungent, benzene-like odour. Toluene is insoluble in water but may be miscible with other organic solvents.
4. What functional group is toluene?
Toluene is the simplest toluene member of the class consisting of a benzene core containing a single methyl substituent. It is a part of toluenes and a methylbenzene, a volatile organic compound.
5. How many sigma bonds are in toluene?
The benzene ring comprises 12 sigma bonds and 3 pi bonds, and the substituent group, methyl, has 3 sigma bonds. Therefore, toluene (C6H5CH3) has 15 sigma bonds and 3 pi bonds.
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