Xylidine

Xylidine can refer to any of the six isomers of xylene amine, or any mixture of them. All isomers are toxic.

The chemical formula of xylidines is C₈H₁₁N, or (CH₃)₂C₆H₃NH₂. They are stable and combustible and react with strong oxidizing agents. They may be light sensitive. The CAS number for the isomer mixture is 1300-73-8. They are typically yellow liquids (except 3,4-xylidine which is solid) that darken when exposed to air and light. They are miscible with ethanol and diethyl ether and slightly soluble in water.

Xylidines are produced as byproducts of fractional distillation of coal tar.

Their risk and safety phrases are R20 R22 R36 R37 R38.

Xylidines are chiefly used in production of pigments and dyestuffs, and also various antioxidants, agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and many other organic chemicals.

Xylidines are also used as a component of the Tonka rocket fuel.

2,3-xylidine

Main article: 2,3-Xylidine

2,3-xylidine, also called o-xylidine, 2,3-dimethylaniline, 2,3-xylylamine, or 2,3-dimethylphenylamine, is a liquid with melting point 2.5 °C and boiling point 222 °C, and flash point at 96 °C. Its CAS number is 87-59-2 and its SMILES structure is Nc1cccc(C)c1C. It is used in production of mefenamic acid, dyes, and pesticides.

2,4-xylidine

Main article: 2,4-Xylidine

2,4-xylidine, also called 2-methyl-p-toluidine, 2,4-dimethylaniline, 2,4-xylylamine, or 2,4-dimethylphenylamine, is a liquid with melting point 16 °C, boiling point 217 °C, and flash point at 90 °C. Its CAS number is 95-68-1 and its SMILES structure is Nc1ccc(C)cc1C. It is used for production of pesticides, dyes, and other chemicals.

2,5-xylidine

Main article: 2,5-Xylidine

2,5-xylidine, also called p-xylidine, 2,5-dimethylaniline, 2,5-xylylamine, or 2,5-dimethylphenylamine, is a liquid with melting point 11.5 °C and boiling point 215 °C. Its CAS number is 95-78-3 and its SMILES structure is Nc1cc(C)ccc1C. It is used for production of dyes and other chemicals.

2,6-xylidine

Main article: 2,6-Xylidine

2,6-Xylidine, also called 2,6-dimethylaniline, 2,6-xylylamine, or 2,6-dimethylphenylamine, is a liquid with melting point 8.4 °C and boiling point 216 °C. Its CAS number is 87-62-7 and its SMILES structure is Nc1c(C)cccc1C. It is used in production of some anesthetics and other chemicals.

3,4-xylidine

Main article: 3,4-Xylidine

3,4-xylidine, also called 3,4-dimethylaniline, 3,4-xylylamine, or 3,4-dimethylphenylamine, is a crystalline solid with melting point 51 °C and boiling point 226 °C. Its CAS number is 95-64-7 and its SMILES structure is Nc1ccc(C)c(C)c1. It is used as a raw material for production of vitamin B₂, dyes, pesticides, and other chemicals.

3,5-xylidine

Main article: 3,5-Xylidine

3,5-xylidine, also called 3,5-dimethylaniline, 3,5-xylylamine, or 3,5-dimethylphenylamine, is a liquid with melting point 9.8 °C and boiling point 220–221 °C. Its CAS number is 108-69-0 and its SMILES structure is Nc1cc(C)cc(C)c1. It is used for production of pesticides, dyes, and other chemicals.

Safety

People can be exposed to xylidines in the workplace by breathing them in, skin absorption, swallowing them, and eye contact. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set the legal limit (Permissible exposure limit) for xylidine exposure in the workplace as 5 ppm (25 mg/m³) skin exposure over an 8-hour workday. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has set a Recommended exposure limit (REL) of 2 ppm (10 mg/m³) skin exposure over an 8-hour workday. At levels of 50 ppm, xylidine is immediately dangerous to life and health.

• 2,3-Xylidin.svg

  2,3-xylidine

• 2,4-Xylidin.svg

  2,4-xylidine

• 2,5-Xylidin.svg

  2,5-xylidine

• 2,6-Xylidin.svg

  2,6-xylidine

• 3,4-Xylidin.svg

  3,4-xylidine

• 3,5-Xylidin.svg

  3,5-xylidine

External links

• CDC - NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards