Mixed xylenes are produced by distillation of the aromatic fraction (BTX) obtained from the catalytic reforming process of petroleum naphthas. They are volatile liquids, miscible with alcohol, ether, and other common organic solvents, and only slightly soluble in water.
They are widely used as solvents in the manufacture of paints, as a carrier in the insecticide industry, and in the production of various types of thinner. Due to their strong solvency power, they can replace benzene in certain formulations.
