Orthoxylene

Orthoxylene is used as part of the manufacturing process to make phthalic anhydride (which is used to make PVC and other plastics), anti-bacterial compounds, and herbicides.

structural formula of ortho-xylene:

      H        H
       \      /
        C == C        H
       /      \      /
 H -- C        C -- C -- H
       \\    //      \
        C -- C        H
       /      \
      H        C -- H     ortho-xylene
              / \         C8H10
             H   H

Or`tho*xy"lene (?), n. [Ortho- + xylene.] Chem.

That variety of xylene in which the two methyl groups are in the ortho position; a colorless, liquid, combustible hydrocarbon resembling benzene.

 

© Webster 1913.