The Toluene reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Jul-2004 (provided by Fixed Reference: snapshots of Wikipedia from wikipedia.org)

Toluene

Toluene is a clear liquid aromatic hydrocarbon with a distinctive smell. Also called methylbenzene or phenylmethane, it is used as an octane booster in fuel, as a solvent in paints and paint thinners, rubber, printing, adhesives, cosmetics, fingernail polish, lacquers, leather tanning, disinfectants and perfumes, and to produce phenol and TNT. It is also used as a raw material for toluene diisocyanate, which is used in the manufacture of polyurethane foams.

Structure

Its chemical formula is C₆H₅CH₃. Toluene occurs naturally in crude oil and in the tolu tree. It is also produced in the process of making gasoline and other fuels from crude oil and making coke from coal.

Inhaling small quantities of toluene fumes can be intoxicating, but in larger doses nausea-inducing. Chronic or frequent inhalation of toluene leads to irreversible brain damage.

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