Areas and fields of toluene use in production

Toluene, or methylbenzene, is a transparent liquid with a sharp characteristic odor. Toluene does not mix with water, ignites easily and burns with a sooty flame, and it does not react with acids or bases. It is a petroleum refining product. It was first obtained from tolu balsam brought from the city of Tolu; this is where the name toluene comes from.

Toluene vapors are toxic. They are dangerous to humans if substances containing toluene are inhaled for a long time or if such substances are handled without proper protection. In other cases, toluene is safe when used correctly and has a wide range of applications.

Use of Toluene in Industry

This substance is produced in large quantities because its field of application is very broad. Toluene is manufactured as an independent product, as raw material and as an additive for other products.

The areas of toluene use and its production role include:

• for secondary clarification of gasoline, as raw material;

• as a solvent and thinner, as an independent product;

• for producing printing inks, as raw material;

• for manufacturing road paints, as raw material;

• for producing pharmaceutical preparations, as an independent product;

• for producing cosmetics, including hair sprays, nail varnishes, perfumes and hair dyes, as an additive;

• for obtaining other chemical substances such as nitrotoluenes, benzyl chlorides and benzoic acid, as an independent product;

• for producing explosives, as raw material;

• for producing paint and varnish materials, nitrocellulose varnishes and enamels, as a solvent;

• for manufacturing motor oil, as an additive.

Toluene as Solvent and Thinner

Toluene is in greatest demand as a solvent and thinner for different chemical substances. First, it is worth understanding the difference between a thinner and a solvent. Thinners reduce the viscosity of paint and varnish materials and are used for varnishes and paints. Today this term is used rarely; more often the word “solvent” is heard.

Solvents give paint and varnish materials a certain consistency and dissolve solid substances, such as dried varnish. Toluene dissolves polystyrene, cellulose ethers, as well as vinyl and acrylate polymers. It dissolves polyethylene only when hot. It is included in solvents such as P4, 645, 647 and 648.

The chemical substance toluene is not as toxic as benzene. That is why its field of application is so broad. It is used in organic synthesis, perfumery and cosmetics, the military, fuel, pharmaceutical and paint industries. Toluene is available for sale and can be used in everyday life as a thinner.