Toluene

It is an aromatic hydrocarbon that is widely used as an industrial feedstock and as a solvent. Like other solvents, toluene is sometimes also used as an [|inhalant] drug for its intoxicating properties; however, inhaling toluene has potential to cause severe neurological harm. Toluene is an important organic solvent, but is also capable of dissolving a number of notable inorganic chemicals such as sulfur. Toluene melts at −95°C and boils at 110.8°C
 * Toluene**, formerly known as **toluol**, is a clear, water -insoluble liquid with the typical smell of paint thinners . It is a mono-substituted [|benzene] derivative, i.e., one in which a single hydrogen atom from the benzene molecule has been replaced by a univalent group, in this case CH 3.

History
The name //toluene// was derived from the older name //toluol// that refers to tolu balsam, an aromatic extract from the tropical American tree //Myroxylon balsamum//, from which it was first isolated. It was originally named by [|Jöns Jakob Berzelius].

Toluene is a common [|solvent], able to dissolve [|paints] , paint thinners, silicone sealants, [|[9]] many [|chemical reactants] , [|rubber] , [|printing] ink, [|adhesives] (glues), [|lacquers] , [|leather tanners] , and [|disinfectants]. It can also be used as a [|fullerene] indicator, and is a raw material for [|toluene diisocyanate] (used in the manufacture of [|polyurethane] foam) and [|TNT]. In addition, it is used as a solvent to create a solution of carbon nanotubes. It is also used as a cement for fine [|polystyrene] [|kits] (by dissolving and then fusing surfaces) as it can be applied very precisely by brush and contains none of the bulk of an adhesive. It can be

There are many examples in which on could find toluene which are gasoline, acrylic paints, and varnishes. Toluene can be used as an octane booster in gas fuels in combustion engines.In Australia, toluene has been found to have been illegally combined with petrol in fuel outlets for sale as standard vehicular fuel. It is also used as a cement for polystyrine (by dissolving and then fusing surfaces) and it can be applied very precisely and contains none of the bulk of an adhesive.

Production
Toluene occurs naturally at low levels in crude oil and is usually produced in the processes of making gasoline via acataylitic reformer in an ethylene cracker or making coke from coal. Final separation, either via distillation or solvent extraction takes place in one of the many available processes for extraction of the BTX aromatics (benzene, toluene and xylene isomers).

Toluene is added to gasoline, used to produce benzene, and used as a solvent. Exposed to toluene may occur from breathing ambient or indoor air. The central nervous system (CNS) is the primary target organ for toluene toxicity in both humans and animals for acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) exposures. CNS dysfunction and narcosis have been frequently observed in humans acutely exposed to toluene by inhalation; symptoms include fatigue, sleepiness, headaches, and nausea. CNS depression has been reported to occur in chronic abusers exposed to high levels of toluene. Chronic inhalation exposure of humans to toluene also causes irritation of the upper respiratory tract and eyes, sore throat, dizziness, and headache. Human studies have reported developmental effects, such as CNS dysfunction, attention deficits, and minor craniofacial and limb anomalies, in the children of pregnant women exposed to toluene or mixed solvents by inhalation. Reproductive effects, including an association between exposure to toluene and an increased incidence of spontaneous abortions, have also been noted. However, these studies are not conclusive due to many confounding variables. EPA has classified toluene as a Group D, not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity.
 * Hazards: **

Uses: Toluene is a common solvent, able to dissolve paints, paint thinners, silicone sealants,[9home] many chemical reactants, rubber, printing ink, adhesives (glues), lacquers, leather tanners, and disinfectants. It can also be used as a fullerene indicator, and is a raw material for toluene diisocyanate (used in the manufacture of polyurethane foam) and TNT. In addition, it is used as a solvent to create a solution of carbon nanotubes. It is also used as a cement for fine polystyrene kits (by dissolving and then fusing surfaces) as it can be applied very precisely by brush and contains none of the bulk of an adhesive. Industrial uses of toluene include dealkylation to benzene, and the disproportionation to a mixture of benzene and xylene. When oxidized it yields benzaldehyde and benzoic acid, two important intermediates in chemistry. It is also used as a carbon source for making Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotubes. Toluene can be used to break open red blood cells in order to extract hemoglobin in biochemistry experiments. Toluene can be used as an octane booster in gasoline fuels used in internal combustion engines. Toluene at 86% by volume fueled all the turbo Formula 1 teams in the 1980s, first pioneered by the Honda team. The remaining 14% was a "filler" of n-heptane, to reduce the octane to meet Formula 1 fuel restrictions. Toluene at 100% can be used as a fuel for both two-stroke and four-stroke engines; however, due to the density of the fuel and other factors, the fuel does not vaporize easily unless preheated to 70 degrees Celsius (Honda accomplished this in their Formula 1 cars by routing the fuel lines through the muffler system to heat the fuel). Toluene also poses similar problems as alcohol fuels, as it eats through standard rubber fuel lines and has no lubricating properties, as standard gasoline does,[//citation needed//] which can break down fuel pumps and cause upper cylinder bore wear. In Australia, toluene has been found to have been illegally combined with petrol in fuel outlets for sale as standard vehicular fuel. Toluene attracts no fuel excise, while other fuels are taxed at over 40%, so fuel suppliers are able to profit from substituting the cheaper toluene for petrol. This substitution is likely to affect engine performance and result in additional wear and tear. The extent of toluene substitution has not been determined.[10home][11home] Toluene is another in a group of fuels that have recently been used as components for jet fuel surrogate blends[12home]. Toluene is used as a jet fuel surrogate for its content of aromatic compounds. Toluene has also been used as a coolant for its good heat transfer capabilities in sodium cold traps used in nuclear reactor system loops. Toluene had also been used in the process of removing the cocaine from coca leaves in the production of Coca-Cola syrup.[13home]