Fisher Chemical Xylene, Technical

Xylene, Technical

Xylene, also known as dimethylbenzene, is a colorless, flammable liquid derived from petroleum or coal tar. The technical grade of xylene typically refers to a mixture of isomers—primarily ortho-xylene, meta-xylene, and para-xylene—with technical purity (usually ≥ 98%). Xylene has a sweet odor and is widely used as a solvent in various industrial, laboratory, and chemical applications due to its ability to dissolve many organic compounds.

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Specifications:

• Chemical Formula: C₆H₄(CH₃)₂ (Xylene, with different isomers such as ortho-, meta-, and para-)

• CAS Number: 1330-20-7

• Molecular Weight: 106.17 g/mol

• Purity: Typically 98% or higher, with impurities primarily due to the mixture of isomers

• Boiling Point: 138-144°C (280-291°F) (depending on the isomer distribution)

• Melting Point: -47.4°C (-53.3°F)

• Density: 0.861 g/mL at 25°C

• Appearance: Colorless liquid

• Odor: Sweet, aromatic, slightly pungent odor

• Solubility: Slightly soluble in water, but highly soluble in organic solvents such as acetone, ethanol, and ether

• Flash Point: 24°C (75.2°F)

• Vapor Pressure: 10.3 mm Hg at 25°C

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Uses:

• Solvent in Chemical Industries:

  • Used as a solvent for paints, coatings, varnishes, and lacquers. It is an excellent solvent for resins and polymers

• Laboratory Reagent:

  • Employed in laboratories for dissolving a variety of organic compounds and as a mobile phase in chromatography

• Extraction and Purification:

  • Utilized in liquid-liquid extraction and in the purification of natural products

• Cleaning Agent:

  • Often used in the cleaning of equipment and tools, especially for removing grease, oil, and resins

• Paint Thinner:

  • Commonly used as a paint thinner and diluent for paints and varnishes, particularly when a high evaporation rate is desired

• Production of Isomers:

  • Xylene is used in the manufacture of terephthalic acid and other chemicals through catalytic processes

• Fuel Additive:

  • Sometimes included in fuel formulations for automobiles and industrial engines

• Chemical Synthesis:

  • It is used in the synthesis of phthalic anhydride, dimethyl terephthalate, and other industrial chemicals

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Features

• ✅ High Purity Technical Grade: Contains ≥98% xylene, mainly a mixture of ortho-xylene, meta-xylene, and para-xylene

• ✅ Effective Solvent: Excellent solvent for a wide range of organic compounds, polymers, and resins

• ✅ Versatile Uses: Widely used in paint, coatings, cleaning, extraction, and chemical synthesis

• ✅ Fast Evaporating: Xylene has a relatively high evaporation rate, making it useful in applications where fast drying is necessary

• ✅ Colorless and Clear: Typically appears as a colorless liquid with a characteristic sweet odor

• ✅ Flammable: Highly flammable, with a low flash point, requiring careful handling in well-ventilated areas

• ✅ Solubility: While slightly soluble in water, it is soluble in a variety of organic solvents, making it useful in various chemical processes

• ✅ Widely Available: Commonly available in various grades, including technical grade for general industrial and laboratory uses