Metatoluene

Metatoluene, also known as 3-methyltoluene or m-xylene, is an aromatic hydrocarbon with the chemical formula C7H8. It is one of three isomers of xylene, the other two being ortho-xylene and para-xylene. In metatoluene, the methyl group is attached to the benzene ring at the meta position relative to another substituent, though in its common usage, it refers to toluene substituted with a methyl group at the 3-position. It is a colorless liquid with a sweet odor.

Metatoluene is primarily obtained from coal tar and petroleum refining processes. It is a component of the mixed xylenes stream that is separated by distillation or adsorption techniques. Its physical properties include a boiling point of approximately 111 degrees Celsius and a melting point of around -48 degrees Celsius. It is insoluble in water but miscible with many organic solvents like ethanol and ether.

The primary industrial application of metatoluene is as a solvent. It is used in paints, varnishes, lacquers, and as a component in cleaning agents. Metatoluene also serves as a precursor in the synthesis of various organic chemicals, including dyes, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural chemicals. Its reactivity is typical of aromatic hydrocarbons, undergoing electrophilic substitution reactions. While not as widely used as its isomers in certain polymer applications, it finds niche roles in chemical synthesis.