MOLECULE

o-Xylene

Ortho-xylene, o-xylene or 1,2-dimethylbenzen is a member of the class of organic compounds called xylenes. Xylenes are aromatic compounds that contain a benzene ring carrying two methyl groups at different positions around the ring. There are three types of xylene isomers, ortho, meta and para xylene. O-Xylene is a clear, colorless, highly flammable liquid that is not soluble in water. Most o-xylene is produced through the cracking of peteroleum. O-xylene is largely used in the production of phthalic anhydride, which is a precursor to many materials, drugs, and other chemicals (doi:10.1002/14356007.a28_433). O-Xylene has a geranium-like odor. In the plant kingdom o-xylene is found in black walnuts and papaya. It has also been detected, but not quantified in several different foods, such as pepper (C. annuum), green bell peppers, parsley, yellow bell peppers, and red bell peppers. Exposure to xylene can occur via inhalation, ingestion, eye or skin contact. It is primarily metabolized in the liver by oxidation of a methyl group and conjugation with glycine to yield methyl hippuric acid, which is then excreted in the urine. Smaller amounts are eliminated unchanged in the exhaled air (PMID: 21180450). If xylene is ingested one's mouth should be rinsed, and vomiting should not be induced. Exposure of pure xylene to eyes can cause redness and pain. Xylenes are not acutely toxic, for example the LD50 (rat, oral) is 4300 mg/kg. o-Xylene is one of the aromatic benzenoids identified in Cannabis sativa (PMID: 6991645).