Toluene
Methylbenzene, with separate aromatic-ring and benzylic reaction sites.
- Formula
- C7H8
- Functional group
- Alkylarenes
- Molar mass
- 92.14 g/mol
- Also known as
- methylbenzene, toluol, Phenylmethane, methacide, methylbenzol, antisal 1a
Overview
Methylbenzene, with separate aromatic-ring and benzylic reaction sites.
The methyl substituent favours ortho and para electrophilic substitution on the ring. Its benzylic hydrogens also permit side-chain oxidation to benzoic acid. Conditions determine which region reacts; an aromatic ring does not make the side chain inert.
Identifiers
- Formula
- C7H8
- Functional group
- Alkylarenes
- Molar mass
- 92.14 g/mol
- Also known as
- methylbenzene, toluol, Phenylmethane, methacide, methylbenzol, antisal 1a
Chemical identifiers
- SMILES
- CC1=CC=CC=C1
- InChI
- InChI=1S/C7H8/c1-7-5-3-2-4-6-7/h2-6H,1H3
- PubChem CID
- 1140
Properties
- Melting Point
- -94.9 °C
- Boiling Point
- 110.6 °C
- Density
- 0.8623 g/cu cm at 20 °C
- Water solubility
- In water, 526 mg/L at 25 °C
Related compounds
- Alkylarenes
Methylbenzene, with separate aromatic-ring and benzylic reaction sites.
Connected reactions
- Ring hydrogenation: Toluene → Methylcyclohexane
Toluene gives methylcyclohexane through ring hydrogenation.
- Side chain oxidation: Toluene → Benzoic acid
Toluene gives benzoic acid through side-chain oxidation.
References
- PubChem Compound Summary: Toluene (CID 1140)National Center for Biotechnology Information · PubChem
Identity, molecular formula, molecular weight and aliases retrieved via PUG REST on 2026-09-08.
- OpenStax Organic Chemistry: Substituent effects in electrophilic substitutionsJohn McMurry · OpenStax · 2023
Supports the qualitative structure and reactivity context; identity and numerical measurements retain their original references.
- OpenStax Organic Chemistry: Oxidation of aromatic compoundsJohn McMurry · OpenStax · 2023
Supports the qualitative structure and reactivity context; identity and numerical measurements retain their original references.
- Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB): Toluene — melting pointHazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Retrieved through PubChem PUG View on 2026-09-08. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/1140#section=Melting-Point. Source value, complete property clause or compact miscibility statement retained; absent pressure, temperature or phase conditions are not inferred. Original reference: Haynes, W.M. (ed.). CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. 95th Edition. CRC Press LLC, Boca Raton: FL 2014-2015, p. 3-514
- Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB): Toluene — boiling pointHazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Retrieved through PubChem PUG View on 2026-09-08. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/1140#section=Boiling-Point. Source value, complete property clause or compact miscibility statement retained; absent pressure, temperature or phase conditions are not inferred. Original reference: Haynes, W.M. (ed.). CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. 95th Edition. CRC Press LLC, Boca Raton: FL 2014-2015, p. 3-514
- Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB): Toluene — densityHazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Retrieved through PubChem PUG View on 2026-09-08. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/1140#section=Density. Source value, complete property clause or compact miscibility statement retained; absent pressure, temperature or phase conditions are not inferred. Original reference: Haynes, W.M. (ed.). CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. 95th Edition. CRC Press LLC, Boca Raton: FL 2014-2015, p. 3-514
- Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB): Toluene — solubilityHazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Retrieved through PubChem PUG View on 2026-09-08. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/1140#section=Solubility. Source value, complete property clause or compact miscibility statement retained; absent pressure, temperature or phase conditions are not inferred. Original reference: Sanemasa I et al; Bull Chem Soc Japan 55: 1054-62 (1982)