para-xylene

para-xylene

[¦par·ə ′zī‚lēn] (organic chemistry) 1,4-C6H4(CH3)2 A toxic, combustible liquid; insoluble in water, soluble in alcohol and ether; boils at 139°C; used as a chemical intermediate, and to synthesize terephthalic acid, vitamins, and pharmaceuticals, and in insecticides.