The chemical formula of toluene is C₇H₈. It has seven carbon atoms and eight hydrogen atoms that cause aromatic hydrocarbon.

Physical properties

State: It is an odorless, colorless, and transparent liquid solution. 

Molecular mass: Approximately 92.14 g/mol 

Melting point: About -95 °C (-139 °F)

Boiling point: About 110.6 °C (231.1 °F)

Density: About 0.866 g/cm³at 20 °C

Solubility: Very slightly soluble in water; highly soluble in organic solvents, such as ethanol, acetone, and ether.

Vapor pressure: About 28 mmHg at 20 °C.

Odor: Pungent, sweet, aromatic fragrance.

Chemical properties

Reactivity with Oxidizers: Toluene can react with strong oxidizing agents, giving benzoic acid and other oxides of products. For example 

Electrophilic Substitution: As an aromatic hydrocarbon, toluene undergoes electrophilic substitution reactions. Some of the common reactions are as follows

Nitration: Reaction with nitric acid and sulfuric acid produces nitrotoluene

Sulfonation: Reaction with sulphuric acid gives toluenesulfonic acid

Radical Reactions: Radical reactions can also be feasible for toluene, particularly in the presence of UV light. Toluene is subjected to homolytic cleavage to give radicals as well as methyl and phenyl radicals.

Halogenation: Toluene can react with halogens such as chlorine and bromine either in the presence of heat or light to produce halogenated toluenes.

Dehydrogenation: Toluene can be dehydrogenated to produce benzene, specially at elevated temperatures.

Application

Solvent: Toluene is typically used as solvent in paints, coatings, varnishes, and adhesives. Its ability to dissolve various substances makes it an essential in formulation.

Chemical Intermediate: Toluene is a precursor to the syntheses of many chemicals such as:

Benzene: Dehydrogenation

Benzoic acid: Oxidation.

Toluene diisocyanate (TDI): These are typically used in flexible polyurethane foams.

Fuel Additive: Occasionally, toluene is added to gasoline in order to provide "octane" and improve fuel performance.

Extraction Agent: It is used in extracting some unique compounds from natural sources, such as oils and resins.

Laboratory Reagent: Toluene is used in various reactions and as a solvent for organic compounds in chemical analysis in laboratories.

Chemicals Manufacture: It is used in the manufacture of other highly important industrial chemicals, including phenol and also some methylated compounds.

Thinners for painting: Toluene is a solvent used by thinners in paint to break up and dilute the paint while being applied or spread.

Conclusion

Toluene is an essential solvent, an intermediate in the production of many chemicals, and used in various paint, adhesives, and fuel-related industries. Its flexibility makes it quite useful in the manufacturing and laboratory process but it should be taken care of because of its health risks.

Other Related Sections

NCERT Solutions | Sample Papers | CBSE SYLLABUS| Calculators | Converters | Stories For Kids | Poems for Kids| Learning Concepts | Practice Worksheets | Formulas | Blogs | Parent Resource