Toluene

Occurrence
Toluene, an industrial chemical, is a component for automotive fuels. It is also a solvent used
for paints, inks, adhesives and pharmaceuticals. Toluene contaminates outdoor and indoor air.
Reports pointed out that indoor air concentration are relatively higher than the outdoor air
concentrations. It is said that emissions from household products and cigarette smoke
contributed to the indoor air concentrations while motor-vehicle emissions contributed to the
outdoor air concentrations. Toluene can also be found in submarine areas and it originated from
paints, coatings and most especially the smoke cigarettes emit (NAS, 2015).
Preparation
In the laboratory, toluene can be prepared by the Wurtz fittig reaction. It is when in dry ether,
the mixture of alkyl halide and aryl halide react with sodium metal to produce toluene. Procedure
includes the flask of dry ether and sodium metal placed in ice is mixed with methyl iodide and
bromo benzene. The mixture is transferred to another flask and after a few minutes, toluene is
produced. A tube flask is added for toluene collection. The mixture is then heated for 110C to
observe pure toluene distilled in water (OSHA, 1998).
Uses
Toluene is important in improving octane rings when gasoline is added. Aside from that, it also
used in producing benzene and a solvent used in paints, coatings, synthetic fragrances,
adhesives, inks and cleaning agents. Production of polymers (nylon, plastic soda bottles,
polyurethanes, dyes, cosmetic nail products) needs toluene as a component. Moreover, it helps
in the synthesis of organic chemicals (OSHA, 1998).
Toxicity
Toluene is toxic to any living forms especially humans and it depresses the humans central
nervous system and irritates the eyes. Renal toxicity, cardiac arrhythmias, blood dyscrasias,
hepatomegaly and developmental toxicity are the costs of inhaling toluene whether accidentally
or intentionally. However, euphoria can be a result of sufficient high concentrations of toluene
vapour. But extremely high concentrations lead to kidney and liver failure, multifocal
leukoencephalopathy and cognitive dysfunction. Its carcinogenic potential to human is still under
observation (NAS, 2015).

Molecular Formula:

C7H8

Figure 2. Stuctural formula of toluene. (Photo Source: NAS, 2015)

References
National Academy of Sciences. 2015. 500 Fifth St., NW, Washington, DC.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). 1998. Occupational Safety and Health
Standards, Toxic and Hazardous Substances. Code of Federal Regulations.