toluene

American  

[tol-yoo-een] / ˈtɒl yuˌin /

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.

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toluene British  

/ 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

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toluene Scientific  

/ tŏl′yo̅o̅-ēn′ /

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 .

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Etymology

Origin of toluene

First recorded in 1870–75; tolu + -ene

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.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 11, 2024

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

From Science Daily • Feb. 9, 2024

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

From National Geographic • Sep. 27, 2023

Carcinogenic chemicals like benzene and toluene as well as other hydrocarbons have been detected within a half a kilometer of the facility.

From Salon • Oct. 28, 2021

In 1879 Dr. Fahlberg discovered a certain derivative of toluene which possessed an intensely sweet taste.

From Coal and What We Get from It by Meldola, Raphael