What does xylidine mean?
Xylidine is a specialized chemical name for a group of aromatic amines with the formula C6H3(CH3)2NH2. Its molecules contain a benzene ring bearing one amino group and two methyl groups, and six positional isomers are possible because the groups can be arranged in different ways around the ring. Particular forms are commonly distinguished by numbers, as in 2,4-xylidine, which indicate the positions of the methyl groups relative to the amino group. Xylidines are used chiefly as intermediates in producing dyes, pigments, and related industrial chemicals. The term belongs mainly to scientific and technical writing rather than general vocabulary, and some commercial uses involve a specified isomer while others involve a mixture. Its historical name can be misleading to newcomers because it resembles xylene, but xylidine is chemically more complex and contains nitrogen. Despite its specialized status, the word illustrates how chemical nomenclature uses numerical prefixes to distinguish closely related molecular structures.
nounAny of the six positional isomers of dimethylaniline, aromatic amines with the formula C6H3(CH3)2NH2. Xylidines are used chiefly as intermediates in the manufacture of dyes, pigments, and other chemical products.
- Any member of the group of six isomeric aromatic amines obtained by replacing two hydrogen atoms of aniline with methyl groups; commercially important xylidines are used as chemical intermediates, especially in dye manufacture.
"The laboratory purified 2,4-xylidine before using it to synthesize an azo dye."
"The laboratory purified 2,4-xylidine before using it to synthesize an azo dye."
"Safety data sheets classify xylidine as a toxic aromatic amine."
Used when referring to multiple members of the group of isomeric aromatic amines.
"Several xylidines are used as intermediates in dye synthesis."
Calling a molecule xylidine conceals a family: six different arrangements of two methyl groups and one amino group can share the same name.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of xylidine
The name combines the xyl- element associated with xylene and the chemical suffix -idine. The xyl- element in turn comes through English xylene from Greek xylon, meaning “wood,” a root shared by words such as xylem, xylitol, and xylophone.
How xylidine is actually used
Xylidine is a specialized term used chiefly in chemistry, industrial chemistry, and technical documentation. A named form such as 2,4-xylidine identifies the positions of the methyl groups on the aromatic ring; the unqualified term may refer to an individual isomer or to commercial material containing a mixture.
Easily confused with xylidine
Xylidine is an amine containing an amino group, whereas xylene is a hydrocarbon containing only carbon and hydrogen.