MOLECULE

Toluene

Toluene, also known as methylbenzene or toluol, belongs to the class of organic compounds known as toluenes. Although toluene has been detected in all living species, ranging from bacteria to humans, its main application is as a solvent for many industrial products, such as glues, paints, veterinary drugs, insecticides and agrochemicals. Toluene is a compound constituted by a benzene ring bearing a methyl group. In veterinary, toluene is used for the removal of ascarids (Toxocara canis and Toxascaris leonina) and hookworms (Ancylostoma caninum and Uncinaria stenocephala) and as an aid in removing tapeworms (Taenia pisiformis, Dipylidium caninum, and Echinococcus granulosus) from dogs and cats. Toluene is a sweet and paint tasting compound. Toluene is found in the highest concentration within several different plant sources, such as black walnuts, rosemaries, and corianders. Toluene has also been detected, but not quantified, in several different foods, such as prickly pears, citrus, yellow bell peppers, apples, and garden tomato. It has also been detected as a volatile component of cannabis plants (PMID: 26657499).