Difference between revisions of "Xylenes"

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== Description ==
 
== Description ==
  
A clear, oily, colorless mixture of three liquid isomers: ortho-, meta- and para-xylene. Xylenes are obtained from coal-tar distillation with the meta- isomer being predominate. A large quantity of xylenes are used annually as raw or intermediate materials for synthetic fibers and plastics such as [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=polyester resin polyester]. Xylenes are more toxic than toluene but safer than benzene. Xylene is used as a solvent for [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=alkyd resin alkyd resins], [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=lacquer, synthetic synthetic lacquers], [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=enamel, organic organic enamels], and [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=rubber cement rubber cements]. It is also used in dye manufacture, as an aviation fuel, and in [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=Canada balsam Canada balsam] for oil-immersion microscopy.
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A clear, oily, colorless mixture of three liquid isomers: ortho-, meta- and para-xylene. Xylenes are obtained from coal-tar distillation with the meta- isomer being predominate. A large quantity of xylenes are used annually as raw or intermediate materials for synthetic fibers and plastics such as [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=polyester%20resin polyester]. Xylenes are more toxic than toluene but safer than benzene. Xylene is used as a solvent for [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=alkyd%20resin alkyd resins], [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=lacquer%2C%20synthetic synthetic lacquers], [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=enamel%2C%20organic organic enamels], and [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=rubber%20cement rubber cements]. It is also used in dye manufacture, as an aviation fuel, and in [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=Canada%20balsam Canada balsam] for oil-immersion microscopy.
  
 
== Synonyms and Related Terms ==
 
== Synonyms and Related Terms ==
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== Authority ==
 
== Authority ==
  
* R. J. Gettens, G.L. Stout, R. J. Gettens, G.L. Stout, ''Painting Materials, A Short Encyclopaedia'', Dover Publications, New York, 1966
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* R. J. Gettens, G.L. Stout, ''Painting Materials, A Short Encyclopaedia'', Dover Publications, New York, 1966
  
* G.S.Brady, G.S.Brady, ''Materials Handbook'', McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971  Comment: p. 801
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* G.S.Brady, ''Materials Handbook'', McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971  Comment: p. 801
  
* Reed Kay, Reed Kay, ''The Painter's Guide To Studio Methods and Materials'', Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1983
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* Reed Kay, ''The Painter's Guide To Studio Methods and Materials'', Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1983
  
* Marjorie Shelley, Marjorie Shelley, ''The Care and Handling of Art Objects'', The Metropolitan Museum, New York, 1987
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* Marjorie Shelley, ''The Care and Handling of Art Objects'', The Metropolitan Museum, New York, 1987
  
* Michael McCann, Michael McCann, ''Artist Beware'', Watson-Guptill Publications, New York City, 1979
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* Michael McCann, ''Artist Beware'', Watson-Guptill Publications, New York City, 1979
  
* Website address 1, Website address 1  Comment: www.hants.org.uk/museums/ofr/cmeth_t.html
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* Website address 1  Comment: www.hants.org.uk/museums/ofr/cmeth_t.html
  
 
* ''CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics'', Robert Weast (ed.), CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, v. 61, 1980  Comment: ref. index=1.493 (p-xylene); 1.494 (m-xylene)
 
* ''CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics'', Robert Weast (ed.), CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, v. 61, 1980  Comment: ref. index=1.493 (p-xylene); 1.494 (m-xylene)

Revision as of 06:24, 24 July 2013

Description

A clear, oily, colorless mixture of three liquid isomers: ortho-, meta- and para-xylene. Xylenes are obtained from coal-tar distillation with the meta- isomer being predominate. A large quantity of xylenes are used annually as raw or intermediate materials for synthetic fibers and plastics such as polyester. Xylenes are more toxic than toluene but safer than benzene. Xylene is used as a solvent for alkyd resins, synthetic lacquers, organic enamels, and rubber cements. It is also used in dye manufacture, as an aviation fuel, and in Canada balsam for oil-immersion microscopy.

Synonyms and Related Terms

xylol; dimethylbenzene; aromatic naphtha; ortho-xylene; para-xylene

FTIR

AaiXYLENE.jpg

Chemical structure

Xylenes.jpg


Other Properties

Soluble in ether and ethanol. Insoluble in water.

Composition C6H4(CH3)2
CAS 1330-20-7
Melting Point (-25) - 13.2
Density 0.86 - 0.88
Molecular Weight mol. wt.=106.16
Refractive Index 1.493-1.494
Boiling Point 137 - 140

Hazards and Safety

Flammable, flash point 27C (81F). May be absorbed through the skin, can cause defatting and irritation. Inhalation of large amounts may be fatal (glue sniffer's syndrome).

Mallinckrodt Baker: MSDS

Comparisons

Properties of Common Solvents


Authority

  • R. J. Gettens, G.L. Stout, Painting Materials, A Short Encyclopaedia, Dover Publications, New York, 1966
  • G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 801
  • Reed Kay, The Painter's Guide To Studio Methods and Materials, Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1983
  • Marjorie Shelley, The Care and Handling of Art Objects, The Metropolitan Museum, New York, 1987
  • Michael McCann, Artist Beware, Watson-Guptill Publications, New York City, 1979
  • Website address 1 Comment: www.hants.org.uk/museums/ofr/cmeth_t.html
  • CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, Robert Weast (ed.), CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, v. 61, 1980 Comment: ref. index=1.493 (p-xylene); 1.494 (m-xylene)

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