Xylenes

Xylene is a colorless liquid and vapor. Xylene is not soluble in water and will float on top of denser water if combined. It is flammable at room temperature. It was named after xylong, the Greek word for wood, because it was found in crude wood spirit. The chemical formula for xylene is C8H10, or more specifically (C6H4)(CH3)2. Other synonyms for xylene are dimethyl benzene, methyl toluene, xylol and mixed xylenes. Xylene’s structure consists of two methyl groups attached to a six-carbon ring.