Xylene

Xylene can generally be used in industrial grade, solvent grade, and isomer grade, but solvent grade has a strong odor. Isomer grade has a weaker odor and is used for inks. Isomer grade xylene is mainly used to produce ortho/para-xylene. Solvent grade xylene is primarily used as a solvent in paints and coatings. Isomer grade xylene can replace solvent grade xylene in solvent applications, but solvent grade cannot replace isomer grade. Xylene is a colorless transparent liquid; it is a product where two hydrogen atoms on the benzene ring are replaced by methyl groups, existing in three isomeric forms: ortho, meta, and para. Industrially, xylene refers to a mixture of these isomers. Xylene has a pungent odor, is flammable, mixes freely with ethanol, and is insoluble in water. Its boiling point is 137–140°C. Xylene is a low-toxicity chemical substance, classified by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) as A4, meaning there is insufficient evidence of carcinogenicity to humans or animals. It is found in plastics, fuels, bananas, various paint additives, adhesives, waterproofing materials, and can also come from combustion gases of fuels and tobacco. Basic information about xylene: Chinese name: 二甲苯 English name: Xylene Chemical formula: C8H10 Molecular weight: 106.17 CAS registry numbers: ortho-xylene: 95-47-6, meta-xylene: 108-38-3, para-xylene: 106-42-3 Water solubility: Insoluble in water, soluble in ethanol. Density: Relative density approximately 0.86 Appearance: Xylene is a colorless transparent liquid. Uses of xylene: Widely used as a solvent in coatings, resins, dyes, inks, and other industries; used as a synthetic monomer or solvent in pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and other industries; also used as a high-octane gasoline component and is an important raw material in organic chemical production.