Substance profile
Toluene
Toluene is a colorless liquid with a sweet, pungent, benzene-like odor.
01 · Identification
What Toluene is
Toluene is a colorless liquid with a sweet, pungent, benzene-like odor. Its molecular formula is C7H8 and its molecular weight is 92.14 g/mol. It boils at 111 °C, melts at -94.9 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs).
Other names for Toluene
- toluol
- methylbenzene
- C7H8
- Benzene, Methyl-
- Cp 25
- Cp 25 (Solvent)
- Methacide
- Methane, Phenyl-
- Methyl Benzene
- Methyl Benzol
- 1-Methylbenzene
- Methylbenzol
- Phenyl Methane
- Phenylmethane
- Tolu-Sol
- Antisal 1A
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H225 | Highly flammable liquid and vapour. |
| H361d | Suspected of damaging the unborn child. |
| H304 | May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways. |
| H336 | May cause drowsiness or dizziness. |
| H373 | May cause damage to organs <or state all organs affected, if known> through prolonged or repeated exposure <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H315 | Causes skin irritation. |
Precautionary statements: P210, P233, P241, P242, P260, P264, P270, P280, P302, P313, P314, P332, P352, P403
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Toluene properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 110.6 °C (231.1 °F) | HSDB | |
| 111.11 °C (232 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 110.61 °C (231.1 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | -94.9 °C (-138.8 °F) | HSDB | |
| -95 °C (-139 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Density | 0.87 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 0.8623 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 0.867 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| Solubility | Miscible with alcohol, chloroform, ether, acetone, glacial acetic acid, carbon disulfide | HSDB | |
| Soluble in ethanol, benzene, diethyl ether, acetone, chloroform, glacial acetic acid and carbon disulfide | HSDB | ||
| In water, 526 mg/L at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 21 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 28.4 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| 28.5023 mmHg | at 25 °C | ICSC | |
| Flash point | 4 °C (39.2 °F) | HSDB | |
| 4.44 °C (40 °F) | HSDB | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 480 °C (896 °F) | HSDB | |
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 1.1 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 1.27 % by volume | CAMEO | ||
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 7.1 % by volume | HSDB | |
| Vapor density | 3.1 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 3.14 (air = 1) | CAMEO | ||
| Odor threshold | 2.14 ppm (8 mg/cu m). Odor recognition level is reported as 1.03 to 140 ug/cu m. | HSDB | |
| Odor in air= 1.30x10+11 mol/cu cm | HSDB | ||
| Odor Threshold Low: 0.16 [ppm] | Haz-Map | ||
| Critical temperature and pressure | 318.6 °C (605.5 °F) | HSDB | |
| Corrosivity | Noncorrosive liquid. | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Toluene
Storage conditions
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage. Handle and store under inert gas.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Incompatible materials: Strong oxidizing agents
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
TOLUENE reacts vigorously with allyl chloride or other alkyl halides even at -70 °C in the presence of ethyl aluminum dichloride or ethyl aluminum sesquichloride. Explosions have been reported [NFPA 491M 1991]. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents. When added to a tank of sulfur dichloride, the tank over pressurized and ruptured in a reaction thought to be catalyzed by iron or iron(III) chloride [Chem. Eng. News, 1988, 66(32), 2].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Toluene in the storage compatibility matrix →
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