Meta-Xylene
The 1,3-dimethylbenzene isomer supplied by Chelora Chemicals — the dedicated feedstock for isophthalic acid manufacture, used across PET copolymer and unsaturated-polyester-resin chemistry — exported from Indonesia in drums or ISO tanks with full batch documentation on every shipment.
What Meta-Xylene is, and why buyers source it
A working overview of the compound's chemistry, its role as the cross-substituted xylene isomer, and the grades Chelora Chemicals keeps in regular supply.
Meta-Xylene carries its two methyl groups on ring carbons separated by one position, the 1 and 3 positions. Because it is thermodynamically the most stable of the three xylene isomers, it is also the dominant isomer formed whenever a mixture is pushed toward equilibrium by acid-catalysed isomerisation, which is why isomerisation units feeding a para-xylene plant always produce more meta-xylene than the other two isomers combined.
At room temperature it is a colourless, highly flammable liquid with a sweet aromatic odour and, among the three isomers, by far the lowest freezing point, which is exactly why it is the one left behind in the mother liquor when para-xylene is recovered by fractional crystallisation. It is immiscible with water but miscible with most organic solvents.
Where it fits in the synthesis chain
Meta-Xylene's principal dedicated use is as the feedstock for isophthalic acid, produced by catalytic liquid-phase oxidation analogous to the terephthalic acid process. Isophthalic acid is used as a comonomer in PET bottle and film resins to improve clarity and crystallisation behaviour, and as a key component of unsaturated polyester and gelcoat resins prized for toughness and chemical resistance. A smaller share is used directly as a high-boiling solvent.
Grades we supply
Chelora Chemicals offers Meta-Xylene in technical grade (≈95% assay, since meta-xylene is harder to isolate in very high purity by distillation alone) for solvent and general blending use, and isophthalic-acid grade (99%+, achieved via dedicated separation) for catalytic oxidation feedstock use. Both grades are supplied with a batch-wise certificate of analysis.
How Meta-Xylene is made
An overview of the production route for orientation purposes. Our manufacturing partners' own process parameters and in-process controls are proprietary and are not disclosed beyond what is needed to interpret the certificate of analysis.
Meta-Xylene is recovered from the mixed C8 aromatic stream, itself produced by catalytic reforming of naphtha or pyrolysis gasoline. Because its boiling point sits within about one degree of para-xylene, it cannot be separated from para-xylene by ordinary distillation; instead it is the component left behind as raffinate once para-xylene is removed by selective adsorption or fractional crystallisation, and is then further purified from residual ortho-xylene and ethylbenzene by distillation and, where very high purity is required, selective complexation or further adsorption.
Why meta-xylene is recovered as a by-stream, not a direct cut
Because para-xylene is the highest-value isomer and meta-xylene is both its closest boiling neighbour and the thermodynamically favoured isomer under isomerisation conditions, commercial xylene complexes are designed around maximising para-xylene recovery first, with meta-xylene recovered afterward from what remains — a sequencing that shapes how meta-xylene purity and cost compare with the other two isomers.
Industries and processes that use it
Meta-Xylene is consumed principally as the isophthalic acid feedstock, with a smaller share used directly as an industrial solvent. The fields below account for most of the demand we see through our export desk.
Isophthalic Acid Feedstock
Catalytically oxidised in the liquid phase to isophthalic acid, the dominant industrial use of this isomer.
PET Copolymer Modifier Chain
Supplies, through isophthalic acid, a comonomer used in PET bottle and film resins to improve clarity and processing behaviour.
Unsaturated Polyester & Gelcoat Resin Chain
Supplies, through isophthalic acid, a key building block for tough, chemical-resistant unsaturated polyester and gelcoat resins.
Industrial Solvent
Used directly as a high-boiling aromatic solvent in select coating, cleaning and specialty-formulation applications.
How the molecule is typically carried forward
The 1,3-spaced methyl groups govern almost all of this molecule's further reaction chemistry. Reaction classes below account for most of the ways Meta-Xylene is converted into a finished product or intermediate.
Catalytic Liquid-Phase Oxidation
Both methyl groups are oxidised in a bromide-promoted, cobalt/manganese-catalysed liquid-phase process to give isophthalic acid, directly analogous to the terephthalic acid process from para-xylene.
Isophthalic Acid Esterification (Polyester Chain)
Isophthalic acid is co-polymerised with terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol to modify PET resin crystallisation and clarity.
Isophthalic Acid Polycondensation (Resin Chain)
Isophthalic acid condenses with polyols and unsaturated diacids to build tough, chemical-resistant unsaturated polyester resins.
Acid-Catalysed Isomerisation (Upstream)
Meta-xylene is the thermodynamically favoured product whenever ortho- or para-xylene is isomerised over an acidic zeolite catalyst to re-equilibrate a xylene isomer mixture.
Meta-Xylene against other amines we supply
Buyers sourcing Meta-Xylene for isophthalic acid or solvent use often need a related xylene isomer or the parent mixed stream. A quick reference to what else is on our regular supply list.
| Product | CAS Number | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meta-Xylene | 108-38-3 | C8 aromatic isomer | The product on this page — the dedicated feedstock for isophthalic acid. |
| Mixed Xylenes | 1330-20-7 | C8 aromatic isomer blend | The parent stream Meta-Xylene is separated from — see its product page. |
| Para-Xylene | 106-42-3 | C8 aromatic isomer | The closest-boiling sibling isomer, feedstock for PET — see its product page. |
| Ortho-Xylene | 95-47-6 | C8 aromatic isomer | The adjacent-substituted sibling isomer, feedstock for phthalic anhydride — see its product page. |
Exact physical constants and purity specifications are confirmed per batch on the certificate of analysis — treat the notes above as a sourcing guide, not a specification sheet, for products other than Meta-Xylene.
Safety classification at a glance
Based on GHS classification as commonly listed for this substance. This is a summary for orientation only — always work from the current safety data sheet supplied with your specific batch.
Flammable liquid and vapour.
Causes skin irritation.
Causes serious eye irritation.
Harmful if inhaled.
Chemical-resistant gloves, splash goggles and suitable respiratory protection are the baseline for routine handling.
Keep away from heat, sparks and open flame; ground and bond containers during transfer.
Use only with adequate ventilation or suitable respiratory protection to limit vapour exposure.
Warning — GHS02 flammable and GHS07 harmful pictograms apply.
This compound is a flammable liquid that causes skin and serious eye irritation, and is harmful if inhaled. It must be handled with chemical-resistant gloves, splash-proof eye protection and suitable respiratory protection, and kept away from heat and open flame. Full first-aid, storage, spill and PPE guidance is in the MSDS issued with every shipment, and should be read in full before this material is handled.
Keeping it on spec between delivery and use
General storage guidance for this grade. Site-specific storage rules, segregation requirements and re-test intervals should follow your own EHS procedures and the MSDS issued with your batch.
Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from heat sources, open flame and strong oxidizing agents, in tightly closed original packaging. Ground and bond all equipment during bulk transfer. If a batch is held past its retest date, re-check assay, isomer purity and colour before use.
How it ships from Indonesia
Standard packing and export terms for this product. Confirm exact figures against your order — they vary slightly by destination and quantity.
What travels with every batch
Specification is agreed before the purchase order, not discovered on arrival. Every shipment of Meta-Xylene leaves with a documented, checkable paper trail.
Certificate of Analysis
Batch-wise assay (by titration/GC), colour and relevant physical constants, issued against the agreed specification so your QC team can check it, not just file it.
Safety Data Sheet
GHS-format SDS in English covering hazard classification, handling, storage, first-aid and spill response for the exact grade of Meta-Xylene shipped.
Technical Data Sheet
Reference physical and chemical properties, recommended storage and typical applications, for internal circulation to your process or R&D teams.
Certificate of Origin
Confirms Indonesian origin for customs clearance and any preferential-duty claim at your destination port.
Dangerous Goods Declaration
UN packing group, classification and shipper's declaration prepared ahead of loading so documentation never holds up customs.
Third-Party Inspection
Independent pre-shipment inspection and re-sampling can be arranged on request, at your cost, for buyers who require it as a matter of policy.
Frequently asked questions
What buyers most often ask our sales desk about this grade.
01What is Meta-Xylene used for?+
02What is the CAS number of Meta-Xylene?+
03How is Meta-Xylene made?+
04What purity grades does Chelora Chemicals supply?+
05Is Meta-Xylene hazardous?+
06Why does isophthalic acid improve PET resin clarity?+
07What packing options are available?+
08How long does delivery take?+
09Can I get a sample before placing a bulk order?+
10Do you supply other xylene isomers as well?+
Need Meta-Xylene on spec, on time?
Send us your required purity, quantity, packing preference and destination port. Our desk quotes most enquiries within one working day.