Product Overview
Toluene (methylbenzene, CAS 108-88-3) is a clear, colorless aromatic solvent with the molecular formula C7H8 and a molecular weight of 92.14 g/mol. Offered here in reagent grade, this product serves analytical laboratories running HPLC separations, coatings formulators dissolving resins and polymers, and process engineers who need a dependable extraction or reaction solvent. Alliance Chemical offers toluene in pack sizes from 1-quart bottles through 55-gallon drums, matching both bench-scale and full-production demand.
Why This Grade
Reagent grade is the designation procurement teams specify when the application demands documented consistency. Analytical chromatography, wet-chemistry extractions, and reaction media where unknown impurities could interfere with results are the most common reasons buyers request this tier. Quality-controlled environments — contract labs, pharmaceutical intermediates work, university research groups — rely on reagent grade toluene to satisfy internal SOPs that call for a defined solvent classification.
If your process is less sensitive — parts cleaning, paint thinning, general degreasing — a lower-tier grade may cost less and perform equally well. Choose reagent grade when your protocol names it or when your downstream analysis requires that level of solvent consistency.
Chemical Profile
Toluene is a clear, colorless liquid at room temperature with a sweet, pungent, benzene-like odor. Its density is 0.867 at 68 °F, making it lighter than water at roughly 7.2 lb per gal. Toluene is practically insoluble in water — less than 1 mg/mL at 64 °F — and floats on the surface when the two come into contact. Vapor pressure ranges from 10 mmHg at 43.5 °F to 20 mmHg at 65.1 °F and 40 mmHg at 89.2 °F, indicating meaningful evaporation at ambient conditions. Adequate ventilation is non-negotiable. Vapors are heavier than air, a property that matters for both ignition risk and exposure control in enclosed or low-lying spaces. The flash point is 40 °F — well below typical room temperature — so toluene must be treated as a constant ignition hazard whenever containers are open.
Industrial Applications
Toluene's ability to dissolve a broad range of organic compounds makes it one of the most widely used aromatic solvents across industrial and laboratory settings.
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HPLC Mobile Phase — In reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, toluene functions as a mobile-phase component for separating organic compounds. Reagent grade matters here because trace impurities in the solvent can produce baseline noise or ghost peaks that compromise analytical results.
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Solvent for Paints and Coatings — Toluene dissolves alkyd and acrylic resins, nitrocellulose, and a wide range of polymers. Coatings formulators use it as the primary carrier solvent in industrial enamels, lacquers, and protective finishes where controlled evaporation rate and strong solvency are required.
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Chemical Intermediate — Toluene serves as a starting material or reaction solvent in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and specialty organic compounds. Its relatively low boiling point and compatibility with most organic reagents make it a practical medium for reflux and extraction steps.
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Extraction Solvent — In liquid-liquid extraction, toluene partitions organic analytes away from aqueous matrices. Both bench-scale separatory-funnel work and pilot-plant continuous extractors rely on toluene's immiscibility with water and its affinity for nonpolar solutes.
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Adhesive and Sealant Production — Contact adhesives, rubber cements, and sealant formulations use toluene as a solvent base. Its fast evaporation rate produces strong initial tack, and its solvency keeps polymer solids uniformly dispersed during application.
Handling & Storage
Toluene carries a Danger signal word (per the product's GHS classification). Operators should be familiar with every applicable hazard statement before opening a container:
- H225 — Highly flammable liquid and vapor (per the product's GHS classification)
- H304 — May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways (per the product's GHS classification)
- H315 — Causes skin irritation (per the product's GHS classification)
- H336 — May cause drowsiness or dizziness (per the product's GHS classification)
- H361d — Suspected of damaging the unborn child (per the product's GHS classification)
- H373 — May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure (per the product's GHS classification)
- H412 — Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects (per the product's GHS classification)
Store toluene in a cool, well-ventilated area away from heat sources, open flames, sparks, and strong oxidizing agents. Use grounded, bonded containers and dispensing equipment — the 40 °F flash point means ignition risk exists at virtually every ambient temperature. Keep containers tightly sealed when not in active use. Handle in a fume hood or under local exhaust ventilation. Wear chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile or butyl rubber), splash-proof safety goggles, and a lab coat or chemical-resistant apron. Avoid prolonged skin contact, and never use toluene in an area without adequate airflow.
Hazmat & Shipping
Toluene is regulated as a Class 3 flammable liquid for transport (per 49 CFR 172.101). The shipping details are:
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Proper Shipping Name: Toluene (per 49 CFR 172.101)
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UN Number: UN1294 (per 49 CFR 172.101)
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Hazard Class: 3 (per 49 CFR 172.101)
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Packing Group: II (per 49 CFR 172.101)
Every outbound shipment from our Taylor, TX warehouse is prepared with the required DOT shipping papers, hazard labels, and package markings for this classification. Our team handles hazmat paperwork and carrier coordination so the product arrives with the correct documentation in place.
Documentation
An SDS ships with every order and is available in English, Spanish, French, and Japanese. A lot-specific Certificate of Analysis (COA) is available on request for buyers who need to verify incoming material against internal specifications. A Technical Data Sheet (TDS) is also available for specification review — contact us to request a copy with your order.
Why Buy from Alliance Chemical
This toluene is available to order in sizes from 1-quart bottles through 55-gallon drums, with SDS and COA documentation included — unlike suppliers who treat documentation as an afterthought, we ship it with the product. Alliance Chemical has operated since 1998 and served over 50,000 customers from our facility at 204 S Edmond St, Taylor, Texas 76574. Product shipping and handling guidance on this page has been reviewed by Andre Taki, DOT Hazmat Specialist (USDOT Registration #2188383).
