toluene

[tol-yoo-een]

noun

Chemistry.

1. a colorless, water-insoluble, flammable liquid, C 7 H 8 , having a benzenelike odor, obtained chiefly from coal tar and petroleum: used as a solvent in the manufacture of benzoic acid, benzaldehyde, TNT, and other organic compounds.

toluene

/ ˈtɒljʊˌiːn /

noun

1. a colourless volatile flammable liquid with an odour resembling that of benzene, obtained from petroleum and coal tar and used as a solvent and in the manufacture of many organic chemicals. Formula: C 6 H 5 CH 3

toluene

1. A clear, toxic, flammable liquid that is used in fuels, explosives, dyes, medicines, and many industrial chemicals. Toluene consists of a methyl group attached to benzene. Also called methylbenzene. Chemical formula: C ₇ H ₈ .

Word History and Origins

Origin of toluene¹

First recorded in 1870–75; tolu + -ene

Word History and Origins

Origin of toluene¹

C19: from _tolu + _-ene , since it was previously obtained from tolu

Example Sentences

They included several types of phthalates, chemicals used to make plastics flexible; chloroform, a toxic byproduct from disinfecting water with chlorine; and toluene, a hazardous substance found in vehicle exhaust.

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This includes extremely challenging aromatic molecules with very high oxidation potentials such as naphthalene, toluene, or benzene.

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In waxes that are not so pure, semi-volatile and volatile organic compounds like toluene, contained within the wax, can be released with burning.

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The EPA said at the time that the plant generated hazardous waste including toluene, methylene chloride, acetone and methanol.

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Wells emit a volatile miasma of cancer-causing hydrocarbons such as benzene and toluene, and their wastewater can contaminate underground water tables relied on by neighbors for household supplies.

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