Toluene: Characteristics
Purity, benzene content and evaporation rate
What this tab covers The physical and chemical properties that set its grade, price and uses, with the commercial grades and the standards that define them.Purity and benzene content matter for solvent and nitration use. Evaporation rate and solvency (Kauri-butanol value) matter for coatings.
Properties that matter commercially
| Property | Value / specification | Why it matters | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purity | at least 99.5% for nitration grade (ASTM D841 type, indicative) | TDI and pharma processes need low non-aromatics | indicative |
| Boiling point | 110.6 C | Moderate evaporation for coatings | standard data |
| Benzene content | typically below 0.1% for solvent grades (indicative) | Benzene is a carcinogen | indicative |
| Blending octane | above 110 RON (indicative) | Makes it valuable in petrol | indicative |
Commercial grades
- Nitration grade (TDI)
- Industrial or commercial grade (solvents)
- Pharma grade (low impurities)