Toluene
The workhorse aromatic. Used directly as a solvent, and converted to TDI, benzene and mixed xylenes when the economics favour it.
Molecular Structure
What is Toluene?
Toluene is benzene carrying a single methyl group — an aromatic ring with a saturated sp³ substituent at C-1. It is a clear, mobile liquid with a characteristic sweet odour and a boiling point of 110.6 °C.
The methyl group donates electron density into the ring through induction and hyperconjugation, making toluene more reactive than benzene towards electrophiles and directing substitution to the ortho and para positions. The methyl group itself can be oxidised to a carboxylic acid or chlorinated on the side chain, which is what gives toluene a second, quite separate derivative chemistry.
Commercially toluene plays two roles. It is a high-volume industrial solvent in coatings, inks and adhesives, and it is a swing feedstock — hydrodealkylated to benzene or disproportionated to benzene and xylenes whenever the price spread makes that attractive.
Chelora supplies toluene recovered from catalytic reformate and pyrolysis gasoline, purified to ≥99.5 wt% with benzene content controlled below 0.05 wt% for solvent and regulated applications. Nitration and commercial grades in ISO tanks, road tankers and drums.
Quick Reference
Key Physical & Chemical Properties
Structure & Bonding
Toluene's behaviour comes from the interplay of two reactive sites — an activated aromatic ring that favours ortho and para substitution, and a benzylic methyl group open to oxidation and side-chain chlorination.
Skeletal structure — sp² ring, sp³ methyl at C-1
Structural Identity
- IUPAC NameMethylbenzene
- Molecular FormulaC₇H₈
- Molecular Weight92.14 g/mol
- Hybridisationsp² ring, sp³ methyl carbon
- Bond typeAromatic ring + alkyl substituent
- Bond lengths1.39 Å ring C–C; 1.51 Å C–CH₃
- GeometryPlanar ring, C₂ᵥ symmetry
- Directing effectActivating, ortho/para directing
- CAS Number108-88-3
- InChI KeyYXFVVABEGXRONW-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Product Specifications
Chelora supplies Toluene in standard and custom grades. Contact us for specification sheets tailored to your process.
| Chemical name | Toluene |
|---|---|
| CAS Number | 108-88-3 |
| Molecular formula | C₇H₈ |
| Molecular weight | 92.14 g/mol |
| Purity (nitration grade) | ≥ 99.50 wt% |
| Purity (commercial grade) | ≥ 99.00 wt% |
| Benzene content (max) | ≤ 0.05 wt% |
| Non-aromatics (max) | ≤ 0.30 wt% |
| Total sulfur (max) | ≤ 1.0 ppm wt |
| Water (max) | ≤ 200 ppm wt |
| Colour | ≤ 20 Pt-Co (Hazen) |
| Acid wash colour | ≤ No. 2 |
| Distillation range | 110.0 – 111.0 °C |
| Specific gravity | 0.866 – 0.870 at 15.6/15.6 °C |
| Flash point | 4 °C (closed cup) |
| Autoignition temperature | 480 °C |
| Flammable limits | 1.1 – 7.1% v/v in air |
| UN Number | UN 1294 |
| IMDG / ADR Class | Class 3 (Flammable Liquid), PG II |
Downstream Applications & Derivatives
Key derivative chains and industrial uses of Toluene.
Solvents & Thinners
A high-solvency, fast-evaporating solvent for paints, industrial coatings, printing inks, adhesives and rubber cements, and an extraction solvent in process chemistry.
TDI & Flexible Polyurethane
Nitration to dinitrotoluene, hydrogenation to toluene diamine and phosgenation gives TDI — the isocyanate behind flexible foam for furniture, bedding and automotive seating.
Hydrodealkylation to Benzene
The HDA process strips the methyl group under hydrogen at 500–600 °C to give high-purity benzene, giving refiners swing capacity when the benzene–toluene spread widens.
Disproportionation to Xylenes
Toluene disproportionation converts two toluene molecules into benzene and mixed xylenes; selective versions (STDP) yield a para-rich xylene stream for the polyester chain.
Benzoic Acid & Benzyl Derivatives
Liquid-phase oxidation gives benzoic acid for sodium benzoate, benzaldehyde and caprolactam routes; side-chain chlorination gives benzyl chloride and benzotrichloride.
Sulfonation & Fine Chemicals
Sulfonation gives p-toluenesulfonic acid, tosyl chloride and saccharin, and toluene is a route into a range of pharmaceutical and agrochemical intermediates as well as a high-octane blendstock.
Why source Toluene through Chelora Petrochem?
Verified Origin
Full origin certification and asset-backed supply chain documentation — no grey-market supply.
Grade Flexibility
Nitration and commercial grades available. Benzene content, sulfur and non-aromatics can be specified to meet solvent-market and regulatory requirements.
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. 2 (H225) · Repr. 2 (H361d) · STOT RE 2 (H373) · STOT SE 3 (H336) · Asp. Tox. 1 (H304) · Skin Irrit. 2 (H315).
Health: Repeated overexposure affects the central nervous system and can damage hearing, and toluene is suspected of damaging the unborn child — apply your local rules on exposure for pregnant and breastfeeding workers. Aspiration into the lungs can cause chemical pneumonitis, so never induce vomiting.
Exposure limits: ACGIH TLV 20 ppm 8-h TWA; EU IOELV 50 ppm TWA / 100 ppm STEL with a skin notation; OSHA PEL 200 ppm TWA. Confirm the limit in force in your jurisdiction.
Flammability: Flash point 4 °C — flammable vapour forms at ordinary ambient temperature. Vapour is heavier than air and can travel to a distant ignition source.
Security: Toluene is subject to deliberate inhalation abuse and is a scheduled precursor in several jurisdictions. Secured storage, restricted access and stock reconciliation are expected controls.
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 Toluene sourcing and specifications.
What is toluene used for?
Toluene has two distinct markets. As a solvent it goes into paints, industrial coatings, printing inks, adhesives and rubber cements. As a feedstock it is nitrated through to TDI for flexible polyurethane foam, hydrodealkylated to benzene, disproportionated to benzene and xylenes, and oxidised to benzoic acid and benzaldehyde. It is also a high-octane gasoline blendstock.
Why is toluene often used instead of benzene as a solvent?
Toluene has similar solvency for resins and oils but a very different toxicological profile — it is not classified as a carcinogen, whereas benzene is a Category 1A carcinogen with occupational limits below 1 ppm. Toluene's higher boiling point (110.6 °C against 80.1 °C) also gives a slower, more controllable evaporation rate in coatings. It still carries a reproductive-toxicity classification and needs proper exposure control.
How is toluene produced?
Most toluene comes from catalytic reforming of naphtha, where it is separated from the reformate aromatics stream, with the balance recovered from pyrolysis gasoline produced by steam crackers. Small volumes come from coal tar light oil. Separation from non-aromatics uses extractive distillation or solvent extraction.
What is nitration-grade toluene?
Nitration grade is the tighter commercial specification, typically ≥99.5 wt% purity with controlled sulfur, water and acid-wash colour, and a distillation range inside 110.0–111.0 °C. It is specified where toluene feeds nitration or other reactions that are sensitive to trace impurities and colour bodies; commercial grade at ≥99.0 wt% is normal for solvent use.
What are the health hazards and exposure limits for toluene?
Toluene is classified as a reproductive toxicant Category 2, with repeated-exposure effects on the central nervous system and hearing, and it causes chemical pneumonitis if aspirated. The ACGIH TLV is 20 ppm as an 8-hour TWA; the EU indicative limit is 50 ppm TWA with a 100 ppm STEL and skin notation, and the OSHA PEL is 200 ppm. Work to the full SDS and to whichever limit applies where you operate. Toluene is also subject to deliberate inhalation abuse, so secure storage is a normal control.
What documentation does Chelora provide?
Every shipment includes a Certificate of Analysis covering purity, benzene content, non-aromatics, total sulfur, water, colour and distillation range; a Safety Data Sheet (GHS/REACH); UN 1294 Class 3 PG II transport documentation; an origin certificate; and any destination-market or precursor-control paperwork required.
Request a quote or specification sheet
Talk to Chelora's sourcing team about Toluene grade, volume, logistics, documentation, and lead times. We respond within one business day.
