Toluene

Toluene at a glance: CAS, HSN, UN number, formula and other names

Toluene (methylbenzene, toluol) is an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent: CAS 108-88-3, formula C7H8, HSN 2902 30 00, UN 1294, Class 3 flammable liquid, Packing Group II. Supreme Petro Chemicals, Chennai, is an importer and bulk distributor of toluene, not a manufacturer, and quotes within 4 working hours.

We trade from our head office at Periyamet and our warehouse at Redhills, Chennai, and supply chemicals for paint, adhesive, ink, rubber and chemical-processing manufacturers across South India. The grades we list are industrial, technical and nitration grade; only the nitration grade has a downloadable technical data sheet.

Which toluene grades are there: industrial, technical and nitration?

We list three toluene grades: industrial, technical and nitration. Only the nitration grade has a manufacturer’s technical data sheet (99.7% mass min purity). For industrial and technical grades, SPC product data gives a typical assay of about 99.5% (GC); the batch Certificate of Analysis carries the measured values.

The downloadable TDS covers the nitration grade only, so do not read its limits across to the other grades. For industrial and technical grades, agree purity and impurity limits in your purchase requirement. Technical grade is not food grade or pharma grade, and we do not list an AR, HPLC or ACS grade of toluene.

What is the specification of nitration-grade toluene?

Nitration-grade toluene in our TDS (SPC-TDS-ARO-001) is 99.7% mass min purity, benzene 0.05% mass max, non-aromatic hydrocarbons 0.30% mass max, water 500 ppm max and colour 20 Pt-Co max, per the manufacturer’s published specification.

The TDS shows total sulphur as Report and acid wash colour as Pass with 2. As a general explanation (not TDS wording), Report means the value is stated on the certificate rather than limited, and acid wash colour is a pass/fail test. These are the manufacturer’s limits for the nitration grade; the batch Certificate of Analysis supplied with every delivery carries the measured values.

What are the physical properties of toluene (density, boiling point, flash point)?

Toluene is a clear colourless liquid with density 0.867 g/cm3 at 20 °C, boiling point 110.6 °C, melting point -95 °C and a flash point of 4 °C (closed cup). These are typical physical constants, not a guaranteed specification.

The typical industrial assay in SPC product data is about 99.5% by GC; it is shown separately from the nitration TDS above, and the batch Certificate of Analysis carries the measured values. Density is quoted at 20 °C here, while the nitration TDS gives relative density at 15.56/15.56 °C, so the two numbers differ by condition and should not be compared directly.

What is toluene used for?

Toluene is an aromatic solvent (general knowledge) used in paints and coatings, adhesives and sealants, printing inks and rubber processing, in thinner blending, and as a chemical feedstock for benzene, toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and benzoic acid.

General knowledge: toluene is obtained mainly from catalytic reforming of naphtha and from pyrolysis gasoline produced in steam crackers, which is why it is traded alongside the other aromatics (benzene and xylenes). We supply it across South India from Chennai; the industry pages on this site for printing inks, adhesives and pharma list the related products.

• Chemicals for paint and coating manufacturers.
• Chemicals for adhesive and sealant manufacturers.
• Chemicals for printing ink manufacturers, including flexo and gravure (roto) inks.
• Chemicals for rubber processors.
• Thinner blending.
• Chemical feedstock: used to make benzene, TDI and benzoic acid.
• Pharma and chemical processing: used as a reaction and recovery solvent by API makers. This is an industrial solvent supply, not a pharma-grade claim.

Toluene vs xylene vs benzene: how do they compare?

Toluene boils at 110.6 °C and flashes at 4 °C, so it evaporates faster than mixed xylene (boiling range 137-144 °C, flash point 25 °C). Benzene is a known human carcinogen (general knowledge). The nitration TDS limits benzene content to 0.05% mass max.

Choosing rule: pick toluene when fast evaporation and strong solvency are wanted and tight ventilation and earthing are in place; pick mixed xylene when slower drying or a higher flash point helps. Our guide Toluene vs Mixed Xylene covers the choice in more detail.

For benzene, SPC lists UN 1114, Class 3; see our benzene page for its own specification and data.

Toluene is not the same as thinner. A thinner is a blend of solvents sold for a particular coating system, and toluene may be one component of it; its composition varies by product, so check the thinner’s own data sheet.

How is toluene classified, stored and handled safely?

Toluene carries the signal word Danger: it is a highly flammable liquid and vapour (H225) with an aspiration hazard (H304). Store it tightly closed in a cool, well-ventilated place away from oxidisers and ignition sources, and bond and ground containers during transfer.

Toluene vapour is about three times heavier than air, so it collects at low levels and can travel to a distant ignition source. Use explosion-proof electrical equipment and non-sparking tools. The full classification, first aid and firefighting guidance is in the downloadable SDS (Rev 3.1).

What pack sizes of toluene do you list, and how much does a 200 L drum weigh?

Our product data lists toluene in 200 L MS barrels, 1000 L IBC tanks and bulk road tankers; the pack is confirmed per enquiry. A 200 L barrel holds about 173 kg of liquid at 0.867 g/cm3; that is a calculation from density, not a supplied net weight.

The downloadable TDS covers the nitration grade supplied in bulk road tanker, so confirm the pack for the grade you need when you enquire. We trade from our head office at Periyamet and warehouse at Redhills, Chennai, and supply manufacturers across South India; pack, quantity and delivery details are confirmed in the quote.

Which documents come with toluene, and how do I read a CoA?

We provide a technical data sheet (nitration grade, SPC-TDS-ARO-001), a safety data sheet (Rev 3.1), and a batch Certificate of Analysis supplied with every delivery. Read the CoA against the grade you ordered, row by row.

Check that the CoA names the same grade you ordered, then compare each measured value with the limit. For nitration grade use the TDS limits below. For industrial and technical grade, agree the purity and impurity limits in your purchase requirement, since no maker TDS covers them. Ask which test method was used for each result.

What are the HSN code, UN number and standards for toluene?

Toluene is classified under HSN 2902 30 00 and transported as UN 1294, Class 3, Packing Group II. We do not publish duty or GST rates here; confirm the current notification with your accountant or customs broker.

On standards, the nitration-grade TDS describes the manufacturer’s Kochi Refinery as having a BIS-licensed Quality Control Laboratory and quotes the manufacturer’s published specification. We do not claim BIS-marked supply for any grade. If you need a specific standard on the CoA, name it in your enquiry.

How do I get a toluene quote from Chennai?

Send us the grade, quantity, pack and delivery location and we quote within 4 working hours. Toluene is priced against the live market each time, so we do not publish a rate.

1. State the grade: industrial, technical or nitration, and any standard you need on the CoA.
2. State the quantity and the pack you want (200 L barrel, 1000 L IBC tank or bulk road tanker); the pack is confirmed per enquiry.
3. Give the delivery location in South India.
4. Tell us which documents you need: TDS, SDS and the batch Certificate of Analysis.
5. Send it by call or WhatsApp to +91 86087 80096 or through the enquiry form on this page, and we quote within 4 working hours.