Analysis and determination of xylenes in the laboratory

Xylene, also called dimethylbenzene or xylol, is an aromatic hydrocarbon derived from benzene.

It is a colorless, volatile, flammable liquid that emits an unpleasant odor at room temperature.

Xylene is composed of three isomeric structures:

• 1,2 – dimethylbenzene, also called orthodimethylbenzene (o-xylene) ;
• 1,3 – dimethylbenzene, also known as metadimethylbenzene (m-xylene);
• The 1,4 – dimethylbenzene or paradimethylbenzene (p-xylene).

The proportions of the different isomers – and of other constituents such as ethylbenzene – depend on the origin of the product, whether it is obtained by catalytic reforming or by cracking for example.

Xylene can be used in the following products

• Varnish solvent
• Paints
• In printing
• Rubber
• manufacturing
• Leather
• Cleaning
• Plant protection
• products
• Raw materials for the plastics industry
• Additives for certain fuels