Toluene is a non-corrosive, flammable, colourless liquid and insoluble in water with a benzene-like odour. Toluene is a mono-substituted benzene derivative, consisting of a CH3 group attached to a phenyl group. Hence, its IUPAC systematic name is methylbenzene.
Toluene is mainly used as a precursor to benzene. It is also used as an octane booster in gasoline fuels, and as a solvent for paints, coatings and resins.