Mixed Xylenes
A technical blend, not a single compound. The C₈ aromatics cut sold as solvent and as feed to aromatics complexes for para- and ortho-xylene recovery.
Typical Composition
What is Mixed Xylenes?
Mixed xylenes is the C₈ aromatics cut taken from catalytic reformate or pyrolysis gasoline. It is a UVCB substance — a substance of unknown or variable composition — so CAS 1330-20-7 identifies the isomer blend rather than any one molecule.
Commercial material contains all three xylene isomers plus ethylbenzene. All four are C₈H₁₀ with the same 106.17 g/mol molecular weight, and all four boil between 136 and 145 °C, which is exactly why the blend exists as a traded product: separating them is expensive and only worth doing when a specific isomer is needed.
That gives two quite different markets. Solvent buyers want the blend as delivered, for its evaporation rate and solvency. Petrochemical buyers feed it to an aromatics complex, where para-xylene is extracted for polyester and the remaining isomers are recycled through isomerisation.
Chelora supplies mixed xylenes in solvent grade and aromatics-complex feed grade. Note that ethylbenzene is a separate substance (CAS 100-41-4) present in the commercial blend and is declared separately on the SDS — we confirm the actual isomer split on every Certificate of Analysis.
Quick Reference
Key Physical & Chemical Properties
What's Actually in the Drum
Mixed xylenes has no single molecular structure to draw. What it has is a composition — four C₈H₁₀ constituents whose proportions vary with the source unit and with how much para-xylene has already been extracted upstream.
Typical ranges — confirm the actual split on the CoA
Substance Identity
- Substance typeUVCB — variable composition
- CAS Number1330-20-7 (xylene, mixed isomers)
- EC Number215-535-7
- Constituentso-, m-, p-Xylene + ethylbenzene
- Molecular FormulaC₈H₁₀ (all constituents)
- Molecular Weight106.17 g/mol (all constituents)
- EthylbenzeneCAS 100-41-4 — declared separately
- Boiling range137 – 143 °C
- Why blendedConstituents boil within ≈9 °C
- Isomer splitVaries by source and PX extraction
Product Specifications
Chelora supplies Mixed Xylenes in standard and custom grades. Contact us for specification sheets tailored to your process.
| Chemical name | Xylene, mixed isomers |
|---|---|
| CAS Number | 1330-20-7 |
| Molecular formula | C₈H₁₀ (all constituents) |
| Molecular weight | 106.17 g/mol |
| Total aromatics (min) | ≥ 98.0 wt% |
| m-Xylene (typical) | 40 – 45 wt% |
| o-Xylene (typical) | 18 – 22 wt% |
| p-Xylene (typical) | 15 – 20 wt% |
| Ethylbenzene (typical) | 15 – 20 wt% |
| Toluene (max) | ≤ 0.50 wt% |
| C₉+ aromatics (max) | ≤ 1.00 wt% |
| Non-aromatics (max) | ≤ 1.50 wt% |
| Benzene (max) | ≤ 0.10 wt% |
| Total sulfur (max) | ≤ 1.0 ppm wt |
| Water (max) | ≤ 300 ppm wt |
| Colour | ≤ 20 Pt-Co (Hazen) |
| Distillation range | 137 – 143 °C |
| Density | 0.860 – 0.870 g/cm³ at 20 °C |
| Flash point | 25 – 30 °C (closed cup) |
| Flammable limits | 1.0 – 7.0% v/v in air |
| UN Number | UN 1307 |
| IMDG / ADR Class | Class 3 (Flammable Liquid), PG III |
Downstream Applications & Derivatives
Key derivative chains and industrial uses of Mixed Xylenes.
Aromatics Complex Feed
The largest outlet. Fed to a para-xylene extraction unit, with the para-depleted raffinate recycled through isomerisation and o-xylene fractionated off for phthalic anhydride.
Coatings & Industrial Solvent
A medium-evaporating solvent for alkyd, acrylic and epoxy coatings, where its boiling range gives good flow and levelling in both air-dry and baking systems.
Printing Inks & Adhesives
Used in heatset and screen printing inks, rubber cements and contact adhesives, where solvency for resins and rubbers matters more than isomer purity.
Agrochemical Formulation
A carrier solvent in emulsifiable concentrate pesticide formulations, valued for its ability to dissolve technical actives and stay stable in the pack.
Thinners & Cleaning
Paint and resin thinners, degreasing of metal parts, and cleaning of process equipment and resin lines where a stronger solvent than white spirit is needed.
Gasoline Blending
A high-octane aromatic blendstock. Refiners move mixed xylenes between the gasoline pool and the petrochemical complex depending on relative margins.
Why source Mixed Xylenes through Chelora Petrochem?
Verified Origin
Full origin certification and asset-backed supply chain documentation — no grey-market supply.
Grade Flexibility
Solvent grade and aromatics-complex feed grade available. Isomer split, C₉+ content, benzene and non-aromatics can be specified for your application.
Full Documentation
CoA, SDS, UN transport docs, REACH compliance, and destination-market certificates with every shipment.
Logistics Support
Experienced in bulk aromatic liquid logistics — ISO tanks, road tankers, and drums with nitrogen blanketing where required, for Indian and international delivery.
Storage & Handling Guidelines
Always refer to the full SDS before handling. The following is a summary of key requirements.
- Store in a bunded, well-ventilated, dedicated area away from ignition sources, heat and direct sunlight.
- All electrical equipment in storage and transfer areas must be ATEX/IECEx rated for the applicable zone.
- Bond and earth tanks, tankers, drums and hoses before every transfer — aromatic liquids accumulate static readily.
- Keep away from strong oxidisers, acids and halogens; use PTFE or Viton seals, as many elastomers swell in aromatics.
- Maintain a nitrogen blanket on bulk storage where the tank headspace can sit inside the flammable range.
- Fit fixed flammable-vapour detection with audible and visual alarms set below the LEL in enclosed storage and pump areas.
- Provide local exhaust ventilation at sampling, drumming and loading points, and monitor personal exposure against the OEL.
- Keep foam, dry chemical or CO₂ media available for firefighting — water jets spread the burning liquid.
Hazard Summary
Classification: Flam. Liq. 3 (H226) · Acute Tox. 4 dermal/inhalation (H312, H332) · Skin Irrit. 2 (H315) · Eye Irrit. 2 (H319) · STOT SE 3 (H335) · STOT RE 2 (H373) · Asp. Tox. 1 (H304).
Health: Causes central nervous system depression at elevated vapour concentrations, and defatting dermatitis on repeated skin contact. Aspiration into the lungs can cause chemical pneumonitis — never induce vomiting.
Exposure limits: ACGIH TLV 100 ppm 8-h TWA with a 150 ppm STEL; EU IOELV 50 ppm TWA / 100 ppm STEL with a skin notation; OSHA PEL 100 ppm TWA. Confirm the limit in force in your jurisdiction.
Composition: As a UVCB, the hazard profile follows the actual blend. Ethylbenzene is present in commercial mixed xylenes, carries its own Carc. 2 classification, and is declared separately on the SDS — check the batch composition rather than assuming a generic xylene profile.
Flammability: Flash point 25–30 °C — at or near ambient in warm climates. Treat storage and pump areas as potentially flammable atmospheres.
PPE minimum: Chemical splash goggles, nitrile or Viton gloves, flame-retardant antistatic clothing, and organic-vapour respiratory protection where ventilation cannot hold exposure below the limit.
Consult the full SDS for exposure limits, spill containment, emergency response, and disposal before any use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Technical and commercial questions about Mixed Xylenes sourcing and specifications.
What exactly is mixed xylenes?
It is the C₈ aromatics fraction from a catalytic reformer or steam cracker, containing ortho-, meta- and para-xylene together with ethylbenzene. It is classified as a UVCB — a substance of unknown or variable composition — so CAS 1330-20-7 describes the blend rather than a single molecule. The exact split varies with the source unit and with whether para-xylene has already been extracted upstream.
Why is ethylbenzene listed separately if it's in the mixture?
CAS 1330-20-7 formally covers the three dimethylbenzene isomers. Ethylbenzene is a structurally different molecule — an ethyl group on the ring rather than two methyls — with its own CAS number, 100-41-4, and its own classification, including Carc. 2. Because commercial mixed xylenes typically contains 15–20% ethylbenzene, it is declared as a separate constituent on the safety data sheet and counts towards classification of the mixture.
Should I buy mixed xylenes or a single isomer?
It depends entirely on what the material does. If you are using it as a solvent — coatings, inks, adhesives, agrochemical formulation — the blend is the right product and the isomer split is largely irrelevant. If you are running a chemical reaction that needs a specific substitution pattern, such as o-xylene to phthalic anhydride or p-xylene to terephthalic acid, you need the separated isomer and mixed xylenes will not do.
Why do all four constituents have the same molecular weight?
All four are C₈H₁₀ — a benzene ring plus two additional carbons and the hydrogens that go with them. The xylenes carry two methyl groups in three different arrangements; ethylbenzene carries one ethyl group. Same atoms, different connectivity, so the molecular weight is identical at 106.17 g/mol and only the physical properties and chemistry differ.
How is mixed xylenes stored and handled?
As a Class 3 flammable liquid with a flash point around 25–30 °C, in a bunded, ventilated area away from ignition sources and direct sunlight, with bonding and earthing on every transfer and ATEX-rated electrical equipment. Because the composition varies between batches, work to the SDS supplied with the consignment rather than a generic one.
What documentation does Chelora provide?
Every shipment includes a Certificate of Analysis giving the actual isomer and ethylbenzene split, total aromatics, benzene, C₉+ aromatics, non-aromatics, sulfur, water, colour and distillation range; a Safety Data Sheet reflecting that batch composition (GHS/REACH); UN 1307 Class 3 PG III transport documentation; an origin certificate; and any destination-market certificates required.
Request a quote or specification sheet
Talk to Chelora's sourcing team about Mixed Xylenes grade, volume, logistics, documentation, and lead times. We respond within one business day.
