Toluene - 108-88-3

Key Functions: Industrial / Manufacturing, Plasticizers & Polymer, Solvents & Cleaning

Toluene is a high-production volume substance with extremely broad use. Toluene is used commercially in the production of benzene and many other chemicals, e.g. benzoic acid, nitrotoluenes, dyes, pharmaceuticals, food additives, plastics, etc. Toluene is also widely used as a solvent in coatings, adhesives, inks, pharmaceuticals and chemical processing. Toluene is also found in consumer products, including aerosols, paints, adhesives, and glues (European Union 2003). Toluene is produced mainly through the refining of petroleum and the related conversion processes. Catalytic reforming, catalytic cracking, hydrocracking, etc., produce olefinic and aromatic rich streams with benzene, toluene and xylenes in varying concentrations. Commercial toluene is produced by distillation from the mixed aromatic stream. Impurities reflect this process, reported to include benzene and xylene mixed isomers (European Union 2003).

Chemical Synonyms "Benzene, methyl-", "Methacide", "Methylbenzene", "Phenylmethane", "TOLU", "Toluene", "Toluol

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