Abstract

Changes in the environment necessitate that information on commodity chemicals like toluene be updated periodically. Because of the global technological and economic changes that have occurred since 1983, considerable material on improved and emerging technologies for the manufacture of toluene and also on the economic aspects and uses of toluene are included.

Physical and chemical properties are presented. The majority of toluene produced is unrecovered, ie, it remains in the various refinery streams. Manufacture and processing aspects treated include production of toluene along with benzene and xylenes from reformate and highlight the improvements on toluene–benzene recovery by extraction and extractive distillation. Emerging technologies for the manufacture of BTX from light hydrocarbons are reviewed. Toluene supply and demand are discussed. The use of toluene for gasoline blending and the increase in demand of toluene for use in disproportionation plants to produce xylenes are analyzed. Specifications, standards, and quality control are outlined. The analytical and test methods and storage procedures are listed, and health and safety factors (toxicology) are discussed. Uses and derivatives are presented.