Toluene Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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toluene
toluene
Definition
chemical compound
Toluene is an aromatic hydrocarbon commonly used as an industrial solvent. It is a colorless, volatile liquid with a distinct smell, commonly found in paint thinners, adhesives, and nail polish removers. Its chemical formula is C7H8, indicating it contains a benzene ring with a methyl group attached.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The laboratory uses toluene for dissolving various substances.
- Many paints contain toluene as a solvent.
- Toluene exposure can affect the nervous system.
Translations
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Quick facts about “toluene”
Toluene is a 1-syllable noun. It is pronounced /ˈtɔɫuˌin/ in American English and /tˈɒljuːˌiːn/ in British English. On finesentence.com it has 1 meaning, 2 synonyms, and translations into 21 languages. It ranks #14,744 among the most common English words.
Origin of 'toluene'
The word 'toluene' is derived from the name of the tolu balsam tree, which is where the substance was first isolated. Tolu balsam, known scientifically as Myroxylon balsamum, is a tree native to Central America, and its resin was used historically for its aromatic properties. In the mid-19th century, chemists began to isolate and identify various hydrocarbon compounds, leading to the naming of toluene in the 1840s. The '-ene' suffix signifies its unsaturated nature, derived from the Greek word 'enes', which indicates an alkene or an aromatic compound. Over the years, toluene's applications have expanded from its initial uses in perfumes and flavorings to essential roles in industrial processes, pharmaceuticals, and chemical manufacturing.