Relevance: mains: G.S paper III: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
Why in News?
Research team in IIT Madras has successfully converted petroleum waste-product toluene into benzoic acid.
What is Toluene?
- Toluene, also known as methylbenzene.
- It is an organic chemical compound.
- Its chemical formula is C7H8.
- Toluene is considered an aromatic compound because a benzene ring is present in its chemical structure.
- Colorless and insoluble in water
- Toluene can be dangerous when its fumes are inhaled, causing neurological damage and intoxication.
- Toluene occurs naturally in crude oil and in the tolu tree.
- It also is produced when manufacturing gasoline and other fuels from crude oil and in making coke, a type of fuel derived from coal that is used to make steel.
What are the Uses & Benefits of Toluene?
- Toluene is typically used in the production of paints, rubber, lacquers, glues and adhesives because it can help dry, dissolve and thin other substances.
- It is used in the production process to make other chemicals, including benzene, nylon, plastics, and polyurethane trinitrotoluene (TNT) etc,.
- Toluene has been used as an ingredient in nail polish removers.
- Toluene is produced in the manufacturing of gasoline, and it is also a gasoline additive that can be used to improve octane ratings for fuel used in race cars and other automobiles.
What is Benzoic acid?
- Molecular Formula: C7H6O2 or C6H5COOH
- Benzoic acid is a Nitrogen Binding Agent.
- It is a white crystalline solid.
- Slightly soluble in water.
- The primary hazard is the potential for environmental damage if released.
- A fungistatic compound that is widely used as a food preservative.
- It is conjugated to Glycine in the liver and excreted as hippuric acid.
- Benzoic acid is a constituent of Whitfield Ointment which is used for the treatment of fungal skin diseases such as tinea, ringworm and athlete’s foot.
- It is also considered an effective treatment for acne.