Post by account_disabled on Mar 16, 2024 5:30:53 GMT
Toluene is a popular solvent used in paints, varnishes and cleaning products, but these are not all of its applications. Some of them can be really surprising! What is toluene and what products is it used in? Published: 09-06-2023 What is toluene? Toluene (also known as methylbenzene or phenylmethane ) is an organic compound belonging to the group of aromatic hydrocarbons . Its summary formula is C 7 H 8 . It is a transparent liquid with an intense odor that most people perceive as pleasant. Few know that the discoverer of toluene was a young Polish chemist, Filip Walter, who lived in the 19th century . Toluene is mainly used as a solvent, which is possible thanks to its properties. It is insoluble in water, but combines well with other substances , for example with most organic solvents. How is toluene produced? Toluene is most commonly produced from petroleum during the catalytic reforming process . Another way to obtain it is through fractional distillation of coal tar. Interestingly, toluene can also be produced from plants , specifically Myroxylon balsamum , a tree that grows in South America. The substance is obtained by distillation of Peruvian balsam, whose resin exudes from cuts in the bark. Physicochemical properties of toluene. Toluene is a liquid with a density of 0.8623 g/cm³ (20°C) . It has a boiling point close to that of water of approx.
110°C , but its melting point is much lower: -94.95°C . It is flammable and burns with a yellow flame producing a lot of smoke. When storing products containing toluene, it is important to keep them away from heat sources . Toluene does not mix with water. Its solubility in water is 0.54 g/kg . On the other hand, it mixes well with ethanol and ether and is soluble in acetone and carbon disulfide. Thanks to these CZ Leads characteristics, toluene is widely used in many areas of the economy. Applications of toluene: what are its industrial applications? Toluene is used: as a solvent in paints, varnishes , corrosion inhibitors ; as an ingredient in gels, sprays, hair dyes, detergents and disinfectants ; in the production of medicines, dyes, rubbers, resins; as a substrate to synthesize common chemicals: trinitrotoluene, benzoic acid, toluene diisocyanate; for the production of explosives, mainly TNT; in minimum liquid glass thermometers (which measure the lowest temperature during a day) and in high-octane aviation fuels, due to their low freezing point. Toluene and safety How to handle products that contain this substance? The physical and chemical properties of toluene allow it to be used in many ways, but we must remember that it is a very toxic substance and dangerous to health .
People can be exposed to toluene mainly at the production stage but also during the use of products containing this compound. Special precautions should be taken when applying paints or varnishes and when using cleaning products . Toluene is harmful to the respiratory, reproductive, vascular and nervous systems, as well as the liver and kidneys. Inhalation, ingestion and direct contact with the skin are especially dangerous, as they can cause acute poisoning. People who are exposed to toluene at work, for example during the production of paints, varnishes or detergents, are also at risk of chronic poisoning. According to the CLP Regulation of the European Union , toluene is classified as flammable (F) and harmful (Xn) . Furthermore, according to the Polish Law on Prevention of Drug Abuse, it is a category 3 drug precursor. However, this does not mean that toluene is particularly dangerous: this category includes substances that have little potential to be used in the production of drugs. or the roof, which can be built with many types of materials and also differ in thickness? You can calculate the thermal conductivity value yourself. You will only need one key parameter: the λ (lambda) index for the particular type of building material. This information can always be found in the documentation provided by the manufacturer. Apart from that value, to calculate the thermal conductivity coefficient, you must also know the thickness of the material. This will allow you to calculate the thermal resistance (R). This is done according to the following formula: R = d/λ, where d is the thickness expressed in meters and λ is the thermal conductivity coefficient expressed in W/K (watts/kelvin). How is thermal resistance related to the coefficient of thermal conductivity? The latter is the inverse of the first. Then just do a simple calculation: divide 1 by the value of the thermal resistance according to the formula U = 1/R. The result of that equation will be the U factor.