Toluene

TOluene, C₇H₈, or methyl-benzol, the second member of the homologous series of aromatic hydrocarbons. Found in coal tar and obtained from it by fractional distillation, for which reason commercial T. usually contains impurities of foreign substances (xylene, sulfur compounds). Pure T. is a colorless liquid, sp. gr. 0.866 (-jr)- *° melting point -95°, boiling point fill⁰. T. is insoluble in water, slightly soluble in alcohol, better in ether. Of the derivatives of T., nitrotoluene, CH₃-C₆H₄-NO₂, should be noted, which upon reduction gives toluidine, CH₃C₆H₄-NH₂, which finds wide application in the production of aniline dyes and pharmaceutical preparations (e.g. novocaine). Trinitrotoluene, CH₃ C₆H₂ (NO₂)₃-trotyl, is a highly explosive substance. Upon oxidation of T., benzaldehyde and benzoic acid are obtained. T. is the starting substance for the production of saccharin. As an antiseptic, T. finds application in biochemical research, as well as in histological practice. With prolonged exposure of the human organism to vapors of T., poisoning occurs both through the respiratory organs and through the skin.