Xylol is a highly flammable solvent commonly used in the printing industry. The word "xylol" is spelled as /zaɪlɒl/ in IPA phonetic transcription, reflecting its origins from the Greek word "xylon" meaning wood, and "olu" meaning oil. The "x" in the spelling represents the sound of "z" as in "xylophone," while the "yl" combination produces the sound of "l" followed by a short "i" as in "mill." The final "ol" is pronounced with a short "o" as in "doll."
Xylol, also known as xylene, is a colorless, volatile liquid hydrocarbon compound with the chemical formula C8H10. It belongs to a class of aromatic hydrocarbons called xylenes and consists of a benzene ring with two methyl groups attached to it. Xylol is a common industrial solvent and is widely used in various fields.
This substance is primarily derived from petroleum and can be found in crude oil and coal tar. It exists as a mixture of three isomers: ortho-, meta-, and para-xylene, with the para-isomer being the most prevalent. These isomers possess slight differences in molecular arrangement, resulting in varying properties and applications.
Xylol is highly flammable and emits a sweet, fruity odor at room temperature. It has a boiling point of approximately 138 degrees Celsius and is insoluble in water but miscible with most organic solvents. These characteristics make it an effective solvent for dissolving and diluting various substances such as resins, paints, varnishes, adhesives, rubber, and dyes.
In addition to its use as a solvent, xylol is also employed as a component in gasoline blends, particularly in Europe, to enhance octane ratings. It serves as a raw material in the production of terephthalic acid, which is used in the manufacturing of polyester fibers, films, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles.
However, it is important to note that xylol poses potential health risks and should be handled with care. Prolonged exposure to xylol vapors or skin contact can cause irritation, headaches, dizziness, nausea, and in extreme cases, damage to the central nervous system.
Xylene, dimethyl-benzene, a volatile liquid obtained from coal-tar, having physical and chemical properties similar to those of benzol; it has been employed in warfare as a lacrymator or tear gas.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "xylol" is derived from the combination of two components: "xylo-" and "-ol".
1. "Xylo-" is derived from the Greek word "xylon" meaning wood. It is often used as a prefix indicating a relationship to wood or specifically referring to xylose, a sugar derived from wood. This is because the compound "xylol" was initially obtained from wood tar.
2. "-ol" is a suffix commonly used in chemistry to denote an alcohol or a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to a carbon atom.
Therefore, "xylol" combines the term "xylo-" indicating its origin from wood and "-ol" indicating it is an alcohol compound.