Overview
m-Xylene (meta-xylene) is one of the three isomers of dimethylbenzene, primarily derived from petroleum refining or coal tar. It is a key intermediate in the production of isophthalic acid, which is used in polyester resins, coatings, and plasticizers. The Wuxi region in China is a notable production hub for m-xylene, supplying both domestic and international markets. Industrial-grade m-xylene typically has a purity of ≥99%, with impurities including other xylene isomers (o-xylene and p-xylene) and ethylbenzene. Its high solvency and reactivity make it valuable in chemical synthesis, though its flammability requires careful handling and storage.
Physical and Chemical Properties
m-Xylene is a volatile, colorless liquid with a characteristic aromatic odor. Its low water solubility and high miscibility with organic solvents like ethanol and acetone make it ideal for formulations requiring non-polar media. The compound’s boiling point (139°C) and flash point (25°C) classify it as highly flammable. Chemically, m-xylene undergoes reactions typical of aromatic hydrocarbons, including sulfonation, nitration, and oxidation. Its stability under normal conditions contrasts with its reactivity toward strong oxidizers, which can lead to hazardous combustion or explosions. Density (0.864 g/cm³) and viscosity are comparable to other xylenes, facilitating its use in blending and transport.
Main Applications
The largest application of m-xylene is in producing isophthalic acid, a precursor for corrosion-resistant polyester resins and PET bottle coatings. It also serves as a solvent in paints, adhesives, and printing inks due to its ability to dissolve resins and polymers. In the fragrance industry, m-xylene is a starting material for synthetic musks and other aromatic compounds. Smaller volumes are used in pesticide formulations and as a cleaning agent for electronics. Its role in niche pharmaceuticals and dyes further underscores its versatility in specialty chemicals.
Safety and Storage
m-Xylene poses health risks upon inhalation or skin contact, causing dizziness, respiratory irritation, and central nervous system depression. Prolonged exposure may lead to organ damage. OSHA recommends a permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 100 ppm (8-hour TWA). Storage requires flame-proof containers in cool, ventilated areas, separate from oxidizers. Grounding and bonding are essential to prevent static discharge. Spills should be contained using inert absorbents, and firefighting should employ foam or dry chemical agents—never water jets due to the risk of spreading flames.
B2B Procurement Guide
When sourcing m-xylene, verify purity (≥99% for most industrial uses) and assay certificates to minimize impurities that could affect downstream reactions. Bulk purchases (drums or ISO tanks) often reduce costs by 10–20% compared to small-quantity orders. Suppliers in Wuxi and other Chinese hubs may offer competitive pricing but ensure compliance with REACH, TSCA, or other regional regulations. Logistics should prioritize sealed, UN-certified packaging to prevent leaks during transit. Long-term contracts with price-adjustment clauses can mitigate market volatility.
Related Manufacturers
- 主营：溶剂油、120号溶剂油、150号溶剂油、718洗网水、PU家具漆稀释剂、洗网水、PCB洗网水、洗枪水、PU稀释剂、慢干水、乙二醇、二甲基甲酰胺、二氯乙烷、甲基异丁基甲酮、丙二醇甲醚醋酸酯、丙二醇甲醚、清洗剂、稀释剂、白电油、二丙酮醇、乙二醇乙醚醋酸酯、二价酸酯、无水乙醇、甲醇、正丁醇
- 主营：标准混合气体、稀有气体、电子气体、高纯气体、稳定同位素、同位素混合气、氪气、六氟化硫、氖气、氙气、氦气、氘气、四氟化碳、甲醇-13c、检测标准、激光混合气体、氘代乙炔、氦气小瓶、干燥空气、气球氦气、氮气、氩气、15N-氮气
- 主营：清洗剂、工业红糖、碳酸氢钠、一水柠檬酸、硫代硫酸钠、酸度调节剂、食品防腐剂、无水柠檬酸、缓冲改良剂、工业级氯化铵、食品级碳酸钠
- 主营：戊二醇、聚醚胺、苯乙烯、二甲苯、苯乙酮、正戊烷、正辛烷、异己烷、三乙胺、叔丁醇、环戊烷、甲酰胺、仲丁醇、异辛酸、二乙胺、异丁醇、氯化苄、异壬酸、异辛烷、丙二醇、正辛醇、乙二醇、二氯甲烷、二氯乙烷、氯化石蜡
- 主营：增塑洗涤剂、乳化剂、防冻液、间二甲苯、二甲苯、丙二醇、三甲苯、苯乙烯、溶剂油、钛酸四丁酯、甲醇、乙醇、仲辛醇、异丙醇、85磷酸、碳酸丙烯酯、甲基丙烯酸、丙烯酸羟乙酯、脂肪酸甲酯、甲酸、氨水、丙烯酸、草酸、聚乙二醇
- 主营：多聚甲醛、正硅酸乙酯28 40、正十二烷、二甲苯、四氢呋喃、液体丁腈橡胶、乙二醛、四氯乙烯、三氯乙烯、环己酮、环己胺、二甲基甲酰胺、二甲基乙酰胺、航空煤油、石油醚、糠醛、亚氯酸钠、铬酸酐、顺酐、保险粉、无水乙醇、异丙醇、二氯甲烷、醋酸乙酯、醋酸甲酯
- 主营：清洗剂、阻燃剂、稀释剂、润滑剂、丁二醇、固化剂、丙三醇、助焊剂、甲酸钠、三乙二醇、聚乙二醇、纺织助剂、印染助剂、皮革助剂、溶剂涂料、橡胶涂料、涂料油墨、二乙二醇、异氰酸酯、防水乳液、碳酸丙烯酯、定制碳酸钾、碳酸二甲酯、清洗去油剂、塑料增塑剂
- 主营：增塑剂、二甲基亚砜、顺酐、间二甲苯、环丁砜、二甲基二硫醚、赋臭剂、四氢噻吩加臭剂、环戊烷、塑化剂、二辛酯、石油醚、异丁醇、氯化苄、叔十二硫醇、硬脂酸钙、树脂涂料、四氢噻吩、化学试剂、国标染料、氯乙酸、硬脂酸锌、乙二醛、异辛烷、橡胶塑料
- 主营：120号溶剂油、150号溶剂油、200号溶剂油、260号溶剂油、白油、D40溶剂油、D60溶剂油、D80溶剂油、D130溶剂油、磺化煤油、丙二醇、对甲苯磺酰氯、莫卡、聚乙二醇、二茂铁、石蜡、乙二醇、铝粉膏、抗氧剂T501、甲基丙烯酸缩水甘油酯、甲基叔丁基醚、乙二醇丁醚、甲缩醛、石脑油、正十四烷
- 主营：环乙烷、苯乙烯、丁醇nba、二甲苯、缩甲醛、石油醚、燃料油、石脑油、异辛醇、清洗剂、环己烷、溶剂d80、甲缩醛、增塑剂、稀释剂、溶剂油、黄腐酸、正丁醇、工业丁醇、工业酒精、油漆涂料、溴丁烷、辛醇、航空煤油
- 主营：四氢噻吩、二甲基亚砜、二甲基二硫醚、二甲苯、乙酰氯、氢氟酸、甲酰胺、丙烯腈、正丙醇、水杨酸、甲酸钠、正丙醛、苯甲醛、丙二腈、二甲基硫醚、硬脂酸、石油醚、水合肼、氯乙酸、乙二醛、乙二醇、异戊烷、苯乙烯、仲丁胺、叔丁醇
- 主营：二甲基硅油、丙二醇、减水剂、二甲苯、sbs、乙二醇、硅油、vae乳液、双氰胺、三乙醇胺、十二烷基苯磺酸钠、邻苯二甲酸二辛酯、邻苯二甲酸二丁酯、钼酸铵、树脂、活性白土、己二酸、甲酸、聚乙二醇、抗氧剂
- 主营：四氢噻吩、乙硫醇、二甲基亚砜、对氯间甲酚、二甲基二硫、正辛硫醇、百里香酚、氟化铯、乙硫氨酯、四水合乙酸钴、二异丁基酮、乳酸乙酯、正己烷、2-甲基吡啶、环氧氯丙烷、亚磷酸三苯酯、环丁砜、甲基丙烯酸甲酯、二乙烯基苯、四氯化锆、二氧六环、氯化锂、硫酸锂
- 主营：工业级白油、食品级白油、食品酒精、二甲苯、无水乙醇、白凡士林、三乙醇胺、溶剂油、P507萃取剂、二甲基丙烯酰胺、正十二烷、8-羟基喹啉、阻聚剂701、聚乙二醇、三乙二醇、桐油、1227杀菌剂、乙醇钠、乙酸乙酯
- 主营：四氢噻吩、乙硫醇、单氰胺、间二甲苯样品实验、二甲基二硫醚、3-甲硫基丙醛、四氢吡咯、邻氯苯腈、噻吩、盐酸羟胺、硬脂酸锌、异丙胺、氯乙酸、氟硼酸