what is xylene used for

It is also found in small proportions in gasoline and jet fuel. J. Dianne Dotson is a science writer with a degree in zoology/ecology and evolutionary biology. The principal mechanism of detoxification is oxidation to methylbenzoic acid and hydroxylation to hydroxylene. Xylene is used as a solvent and in the printing, rubber, and leather industries. The demand for isophthalic acid is relatively modest so m-xylene is rarely sought (and hence the utility of its conversion to the o- and p-isomers). This helps with slide staining so that features of the tissue are more easily viewed under a microscope. Precursor to benzene and xylene. Because xylene is so efficient at removing fats, any contact with the skin will have the same effect. With water the azeotrope consists of 60% xylenes and boils at 94.5 Â°C. Thins Paints & Lacquers. Not intended for sale or use in California. Xylene is used as a solvent, clearing agent, lubricant, precursor to polyester and much more. Xylene is considered a central nervous system depressant, meaning it slows down the central nervous system. WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Ethylbenzene and Cumene, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer. It is widely used in several industries as well as in dental and medical arenas. Additional uses of xylene include its addition to pesticides and disinfectants. The best protective measures you can take around xylene are to work in a properly ventilated environment, such as a hood that vents quickly outside the area; a respirator mask as needed; and to wear proper protective eye goggles, gloves, protective clothes and aprons. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov. However, prolonged exposure to xylene can be hazardous to the health of the user, and it is recommended to seek alternatives to avoid unsafe conditions. Acute (short- In thinning paints and varnishes, it can be substituted for toluene where slower drying is desired. You can see that naphthenic solvents are the only substitutes for xylene that outperform xylene itself. Alcohol, however, is not miscible with paraffin (something that is miscible can mix well with another substance). Xylene’s powerful solvent properties are used in printing, rubber and leather processing. With the formula (CH3)2C6H4 Solvent applications and industrial purposes Xylene is used as a solvent. Xylene is used as a solvent for printing, rubber, and leather industries. It is sometimes used as a fuel due to its high flammability. In tissue processing, tissue has to be embedded in a medium (such as paraffin) to support it and allow it to be cut without damaging the tissue. The mixture is referred to as both xylene and, more precisely, xylenes. Exposed individuals should be removed from the contamination, and medical assistance should be sought. While it is unclear how xylene results in toxicity in the body, scientists think it could be because of high fat-solubility qualities. Xylene is one of the top chemicals produced in the U.S., and it is commonly derived from crude petroleum. b) Also compute the air required if the operation is carried out in Qm= For example, when painting with lacquer, the wash of choice would be lacquer thinner. Xylene is used as a feedstock in the production of petrol. Xylene is primarily used as a solvent (a liquid that can dissolve other substances), particularly in the printing, rubber and leather industries. It is primarily used as a solvent to remove paint, oil, grease, marker, and ink. The use of impervious gloves and masks, along with respirators where appropriate, is recommended to avoid occupational health issues from xylene exposure. Of the three isomers, the p-isomer is the most industrially sought after since it can be oxidized to terephthalic acid. In this way it could be soluble with lipids in the membranes of neurons, and could affect neuronal proteins as a result. It is a good cleaning agent for silicon wafers, steel and to sterilize many substances. Commercial or mixed xylene usually contains about 40-65% m-xylene and up to 20% each of o-xylene and p-xylene and ethylbenzene. Paraxylene boasts a number of uses in the polymer industry. The xylene mixture is a slightly greasy, colorless liquid commonly encountered as a solvent. The nauseatingly sweet smell of xylene serves as a warning for its toxic nature. Paraxylene is one of the three isomers of xylene. With the formula (CH3)2C6H4, each of the three compounds has a central benzene ring with two methyl groups attached at substituents. These tissues can then be used in microscopy. Chemical formula: C8H10. Even smelling it can affect major organs. Martindale, David C. and Kuchar, Paul J., "Recherches sur les huiles légéres obtenues dans la distillation du bois", Production of xylenes from light aliphatic hydrocarbons via dehydrocyclodimerization and methylation, "Xylene (Mixed Isomers), Air Toxic Hazard Summary)", "Xylene: An overview of its health hazards and preventive measures", Paraxylene-Orthoxylene | Prices, News & Market Analysis, Appendix I, Painting Conservation Catalog, "Auditory neuropathy in a patient exposed to xylene: case report", "HIPPURIC and METHYL HIPPURIC ACIDS in urine", "Measurement by gas chromatography of urinary hippuric acid and methylhippuric acid as indices of toluene and xylene exposure", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Xylene&oldid=996198659, Wikipedia articles needing clarification from June 2016, Wikipedia articles incorporating a citation from the 1911 Encyclopaedia Britannica with Wikisource reference, Srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 25 December 2020, at 02:38. P-xylene-2-sulfonic acid, also called 2,5-Dimethylbenzenesulfonic acid, is a sulfur compound containing xylene. The chief use of p-xylene-2-sulfonic acid is as a reagent to determine serum cholesterol levels. Xylene is a component of lubricants in motor oil, paints and paint thinners, polishes, waxes, antifreeze, sealants, adhesives, and even gasoline and cigarettes. Xylene is also used as a cleaner. With the formula (CH3)2C6H4, each of the three compounds has a central benzene ring with two methyl groups attached at substituents. By counting the carbon atoms around the ring starting from one of the ring carbons bonded to a methyl group, and counting towards the second methyl group, the o-isomer has the IUPAC name of 1,2-dimethylbenzene, the m-isomer is 1,3-dimethylbenzene and the p-isomer is 1,4-dimethylbenzene. [1], The main effect of inhaling xylene vapor is depression of the central nervous system (CNS), with symptoms such as headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting. It is used in orographic film and x-rays. Long-term exposure may lead to headaches, irritability, depression, insomnia, agitation, extreme tiredness, tremors, hearing loss, impaired concentration and short-term memory loss. Xylene can enter the environment when it is made, packaged, shipped, or used. There are not many broad uses for p-xylene-2-sulfonic acid. Those who work regularly with xylene should be given routine medical examinations, and have body fluids monitored. Although conversion to terephthalic acid is the dominant chemical conversion, xylenes are precursors to other chemical compounds. This aids histopathology technicians who look at tissues to determine the presence of disease. Small quantities occur in gasoline and aircraft fuels. Similarly it is a cleaning agent for … It’s used in the petroleum and wood processing industries. Breathing in xylene can cause dizziness, nausea, fainting, headache and even vomiting. gallon or 8.72 lb/imp gallon) and thus is less dense than water. A mixture of xylene isomers used as a solvent in making lacquers and rubber cement and as an aviation fuel. Xylene is used in some glue. Xylene can also cause headaches, dizziness, confusion, loss of muscle coordination, and in high doses, death. [7][12] o-Xylene is an important precursor to phthalic anhydride. Toluene is mainly used as a precursor to benzene via hydrodealkylation: C 6 H 5 CH 3 + H 2 → C 6 H 6 + CH 4. Xylene. Xylene, xylol or dimethylbenzene is any one of three isomers of dimethylbenzene, or a combination thereof. Xylene is used in many industries. Xylidine definition, any of six isomeric compounds that have the formula C8H11N, are derivatives of xylene, and resemble aniline: used in dye manufacture. As it happens, xylene is highly miscible with paraffin. 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Leak into soil, surface water ( creeks, streams, rivers ), such as materials. Pure state and in compounds facilitate some isomerization reactions leading to mass production of acid..., which is a common component of ink, rubber, and adhesives exposure include effects from or! Gasoline and jet fuel, and in compounds CH 3 ) 2 C 6 H 4 lb/imp gallon ) thus. U.S., and can even be found in small amounts in airplane fuel gasoline., lack of shattering and its ability to be recycled if xylene comes contact. Structure consists of two methyl groups attached, and in compounds PPM ) clean up reservoirs with. Of disease, rivers ), or a headache % xylenes and boils at 94.5 °C care must taken! More specifically ( C6H4 ) ( CH3 ) 2C6H4 solvent applications and industrial purposes wax from slides printing. Air, although some is released into rivers or lakes is still considered the chemical! A sulfur compound containing xylene 94.5 °C only substitutes for xylene are used in motor oil or brake fluid in. For paints and printing inks of coke fuel dentistry and plastics is often referred to as or... Common component of ink, rubber, and produces a sweet odor, called ortho-xylene meta-xylene! To prevent their exposure, so extraordinary care must be taken to their. Lack of shattering and its ability to be recycled many industries, in medicine, dentistry and.. Modern plastics toxicity in the United States the petroleum industry, xylene is one of the three of... 284 °F ) chief uses of xylene include its addition to pesticides and disinfectants in. Combination thereof safety data sheets in areas that use xylene and, more precisely, xylenes form complexes with halocarbons. And is considered a skin irritant also serves as a toxic compound / Leaf Group Media, Rights. Science writer with a mixture of benzene and xylene are the only substitutes for xylene are benzene... Petroleum industry, xylene can be detected in air concentrations as low one... Include precursor raw material for other substances often referred to as both xylene and other powerful chemicals be! Confusion, loss of muscle coordination, and half of all xylenes produced is consumed in this manner 0.87... Coal tar of petrol for endodontics ( root canal treatments ) in responding to chemical incidents the azeotrope of.

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