Xylenes

Other Names:

Xylenes, mixture of isomers

Xylene

General Information:

Structure:

Xylenes

CAS Number: 1330-20-7

Molecular Weight: 106.17 g/mol

Appearance: Colorless liquid

Boiling Point: 137-140 C

Density: 0.86 g/mL at 25 C

Xylenes are a mixture of the three isomers of dimethylbenzene (1,2-Dimethylbenzene, 1,3-Dimethylbenzene, and 1,4-Dimethylbenzene). Xylenes are used in organic chemistry primarily as a solvent. Replacing toluene (bp: 110 C) with xylenes (bp: 138 C) is sometimes useful if you want a similar solvent with a higher boiling point.

Common Uses:

Solvent for reactions

Safety:

Xylenes is a flammable liquid.

References:

1) Wikipedia: Xylene (link)

2) www.sigmaaldrich.com: Xylenes (link)