About This Product
Toluene is the middle member of the BTX family and one of the most widely used aromatic solvents. It is recovered from catalytic reformate in the same way as benzene, by solvent extraction of the aromatics followed by fractional distillation, but its markets are quite different. Part of the volume is used as a solvent in its own right; the rest is a chemical intermediate, and nitration grade material is the one specified where the toluene is going to be nitrated or otherwise reacted. As a solvent toluene combines strong aromatic solvency with an evaporation rate between those of benzene and xylenes. It dissolves alkyd, acrylic, vinyl, chlorinated rubber and many natural resins, cuts the viscosity of coatings and inks efficiently, and flashes off quickly enough for gravure and flexographic printing, fast-drying lacquers and contact adhesives. In paint shops and printing works it is a core component of thinners and wash-up blends. The specification is built around purity and freedom from reactive impurities. Distilling within 1°C (including 110.6°C), the product is essentially a single compound, and the cap on non-aromatic hydrocarbons, max 1.5 vol %, restricts the co-boiling paraffins and naphthenes that dilute solvency and pass through a nitrator unreacted. Acid wash colour max 2 together with nil acidity rules out olefinic and acidic contaminants that would discolour a nitration or a clear lacquer, while sulphur compounds free of H2S & SO2 and a non-corrosive copper strip protect metal plant and catalysts. Specific gravity of 0.8690 – 0.8730 and colour (Pt-Co) max 20 serve as receipt checks. In synthesis, nitration grade toluene is converted to mononitrotoluenes for dye and agrochemical intermediates, and to dinitrotoluene, which is reduced to toluene diamine and phosgenated to toluene diisocyanate (TDI) for flexible polyurethane foam. It is also oxidised to benzoic acid and used in fine chemical synthesis as a reaction and extraction solvent. Benzene, its neighbour on this site, is bought almost wholly for conversion; toluene earns its place as much in solvent use as in synthesis, and against mixed xylenes it is the faster-evaporating option and a single compound rather than an isomer blend. Bio Green Chem supplies toluene from Pakistan, with packaging and transport confirmed on each offer to suit the volume and destination. Every lot is shipped with its certificate of analysis. Buyers will find the toluene technical datasheet on this page; the SDS, covering flammability and safe handling, is available on request.
