- Amal Augustine
- January 27, 2026
Stop Mixing Them Up: The Real Difference Between Benzene and Toluene
Understanding the difference between benzene and toluene is an important part of organic chemistry, especially for aspirants preparing for board exams, NEET, JEE, and CUET. Both benzene and toluene belong to the class of aromatic hydrocarbons and show many similarities, yet their structural differences lead to noticeable variations in physical properties, chemical behavior, and applications.
Benzene has the molecular formula C₆H₆ and consists of a planar hexagonal ring with alternating double bonds, exhibiting resonance stabilization. Toluene, on the other hand, has the molecular formula C₆H₅CH₃ and is essentially benzene with a methyl (–CH₃) group attached to the ring. This small structural change forms the foundation of the difference between benzene and toluene and influences nearly every property of these compounds.
One major difference between benzene and toluene lies in their physical properties. Benzene is a colorless, volatile liquid with a boiling point of about 80°C, whereas toluene has a higher boiling point of around 110°C. The presence of the methyl group in toluene increases its molecular mass and intermolecular forces, making it less volatile than benzene. This physical difference between benzene and toluene also affects their storage and industrial handling.
Another important difference between benzene and toluene is their solubility and polarity. Both compounds are non-polar and insoluble in water, but toluene is slightly more soluble than benzene due to the weak electron-donating nature of the methyl group. This subtle difference between benzene and toluene becomes important when choosing solvents for organic reactions.
The difference between benzene and toluene is also evident in their chemical reactivity. Benzene undergoes electrophilic substitution reactions such as nitration, sulfonation, and halogenation under controlled conditions. Toluene also undergoes similar reactions, but the methyl group activates the aromatic ring, making toluene more reactive than benzene. This reactivity-based difference between benzene and toluene explains why substitution reactions occur faster in toluene.
Orientation of substitution further highlights the difference between benzene and toluene. In benzene, all positions are equivalent, so substitution gives only one monosubstituted product. In contrast, the methyl group in toluene directs incoming substituents to the ortho and para positions. This directing effect is a key conceptual difference between benzene and toluene in organic chemistry.
Toxicity is another serious difference between benzene and toluene. Benzene is highly toxic and carcinogenic, known to affect bone marrow and blood formation. Due to this, its use is strictly regulated. Toluene, although toxic at high exposure levels, is comparatively less harmful and is widely used as an industrial solvent. This health-related difference between benzene and toluene plays a crucial role in industrial selection.
From an industrial perspective, the difference between benzene and toluene determines their applications. Benzene is used mainly as a starting material for manufacturing chemicals such as phenol, aniline, and styrene. Toluene is commonly used in paints, adhesives, pharmaceuticals, and as a fuel additive. This application-based difference between benzene and toluene is often tested in competitive exams.
The difference between benzene and toluene is also reflected in their oxidation behavior. Benzene resists oxidation under normal conditions, while toluene can be oxidized at the methyl side chain to form benzaldehyde or benzoic acid. This chemical difference between benzene and toluene is widely used in synthesis
Difference Between Benzene and Toluene MCQs
1.
The mole fraction of the solute in one molal aqueous solution is:
A. 0.009
B. 0.018
C. 0.027
D. 0.036
Answer: B
2.
If 117 g NaCl is dissolved in 1000 g of water the concentration of the solution is said to be:
A. 2 molar
B. 2 molal
C. 1 molar
D. 1 molal
Answer: B
3.
Benzene and toluene form nearly ideal solutions. At 20°C, vapour pressure of benzene is 75 torr and toluene is 22 torr. The partial vapour pressure of benzene for a solution containing 78 g benzene and 46 g toluene is (in torr):
A. 53.5
B. 37.5
C. 25
D. 50
Answer: D
4.
Two solutions of a non-electrolyte are mixed: 480 mL of 1.5 M + 520 mL of 1.2 M. Molarity of final mixture is:
A. 2.70 M
B. 1.34 M
C. 1.50 M
D. 1.20 M
Answer: B
5.
Which solution will have the highest boiling point?
A. 0.5 molal BaCl₂
B. 1.0 molal KBr
C. 1.8 × 10²⁴ glucose molecules per litre
D. 100 g powdered glucose in 1 litre water
Answer: C
6.
To neutralize completely 20 mL of 0.1 M H₃PO₃ solution, volume of 0.1 M KOH required is:
A. 40 mL
B. 20 mL
C. 10 mL
D. 60 mL
Answer: A
7.
Assertion: Molecular weight of acetic acid by freezing point depression in benzene and water is different.
Reason: Water is polar and benzene is non-polar.
A. Both correct and R explains A
B. Both correct but R doesn’t explain A
C. A correct, R incorrect
D. Both incorrect
Answer: A
8.
MnO₄⁻ is converted to Mn²⁺. Number of equivalents of KMnO₄ present in 250 mL of 0.04 N KMnO₄ is:
A. 0.02
B. 0.05
C. 0.06
D. 0.07
Answer: B
9.
1.80 g solute A dissolved in ethanol. Freezing point decreases from 156.0 K to 155.1 K. Molar mass of A is:
A. 80
B. 40
C. 120
D. 60
Answer: A
10.
Two solutions A and B contain 1 g solutes X and Y in 1 kg water. Depression in freezing point ratio is 1:4. Ratio of molar masses X:Y is:
A. 1:4
B. 1:0.25
C. 1:2
D. 1:5
Answer: B
11.
ΔTb for 1 m solution is 3 K and ΔTf for 2 m is 6 K. Kb/Kf = 1:X. X is:
A. 2
B. 3
C. 1
D. 4
Answer: C
12.
Freezing point of equimolal aqueous solution will be highest for:
A. C₆H₅NHNH₃⁺Cl⁻
B. Ba(NO₃)₂
C. LaCl₃
D. C₆H₁₂O₆
Answer: D
13.
Freezing point depression for 0.6 g urea in 100 g benzene is (in K):
A. 0.03
B. 0.38
C. 0.4
D. 0.24
Answer: C
14.
0.05 mole solute dissolved in 500 g water. Depression in freezing point is:
A. 0.047 K
B. 0.372 K
C. 0.093 K
D. 0.186 K
Answer: D
15.
Solute (M = 78) added to 0.5 kg water lowers freezing point by 1°C. x is:
A. 10.48
B. 20.96
C. 41.92
D. 5.24
Answer: B
16.
1.8 g glucose in 0.1 kg water. Freezing point of solution is:
A. -0.186°C
B. -0.372°C
C. 0.186°C
D. 0.372°C
Answer: A
17.
Which solution has the highest freezing point?
A. 0.1 mol KCl in 1 kg water
B. 0.1 mol K₂SO₄ in 1 kg water
C. 0.1 mol urea in 1 kg water
D. 30 g glucose in 1 kg water
Answer: C
18.
Which is NOT a colligative property?
A. Osmotic pressure
B. Optical activity
C. Depression in freezing point
D. Elevation in boiling point
Answer: B
19.
Solution freezes at -0.186°C. Elevation in boiling point is:
A. 0.0512°C
B. 100.0512°C
C. -0.0512°C
D. None of these
Answer: A
20.
If ΔTb for 10 g solute (MW=100) in 100 g water is ΔTb, ebullioscopic constant is:
A. 10
B. 100 Tb
C. ΔTb
D. ΔTb/10
Answer: C
21.
Tyndall effect is due to:
A. Scattering of light by particles
B. Movement of particles
C. Reflection of light
D. Coagulation
Answer: A
22.
Urea solution boils at 100.18°C. Freezing point will be:
A. -5.4°C
B. -6.54°C
C. 5.4°C
D. -0.654°C
Answer: D
23.
Gold sol is not a:
A. Lyophobic sol
B. Negatively charged sol
C. Macromolecular sol
D. Multimolecular colloid
Answer: C
24.
In freezing point depression experiment, equilibrium is between molecules of:
A. Liquid solvent and solid solvent
B. Liquid solute and solid solvent
C. Liquid solute and solid solute
D. Liquid solvent and solid solute
Answer: A
25.
Which is a colligative property?
A. Surface tension
B. Osmotic pressure
C. Optical rotation
D. Viscosity
Answer: B
26.
Assertion: If one component obeys Raoult’s law, other will not obey Henry’s law in same range.
Reason: Raoult’s law is special case of Henry’s law.
A. Both correct and R explains A
B. Both correct but R not explanation
C. A correct, R incorrect
D. Both incorrect
Answer: B
27.
0.2 molal weak acid HX has degree of ionization 0.3. Freezing point is nearest to:
A. -0.30°C
B. -0.26°C
C. 0.480°C
D. -0.480°C
Answer: D
28.
Which colligative property is best for molar mass of proteins/polymers?
A. Lowering of vapour pressure
B. Elevation in boiling point
C. Depression in freezing point
D. Osmotic pressure
Answer: D
29.
C₆H₆ freezes at 5.5°C. 10 g C₄H₁₀ in 200 g benzene. Freezing point is:
A. 1°C
B. 0.1°C
C. 10°C
D. 4°C
Answer: A
30.
3.00 g solute X in 100 g CCl₄ raises boiling point by 0.60 K. Molar mass of X is (Kb=5.0):
A. 150
B. 250
C. 300
D. 200
Answer: B
Conclusion on Difference Between Benzene and Toluene
In conclusion, the difference between benzene and toluene arises mainly due to the presence of a methyl group in toluene. This single structural change causes variations in physical properties, chemical reactivity, toxicity, and applications. A clear understanding of the difference between benzene and toluene helps students build strong fundamentals in aromatic chemistry and confidently tackle exam questions.
Amal Augustine is the founder of ExQuizMe, a dynamic learning and quiz platform built to make education engaging, competitive, and fun. A passionate learner and an academic achiever, Amal completed his schooling at Government HSS Manjapra, graduating with 92.5% in Computer Science. He later earned his degree from St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi, one of India’s most prestigious arts and science institutions.
Currently, Amal is pursuing his Master’s degree at National Sun Yat-sen University, Taiwan, where he continues to deepen his interest in research and technology. Throughout his school and college years, he won 50+ national-level interschool and collegiate quiz competitions, was
Beyond academics, Amal Augustine is an avid reader of science journals, a dedicated research student, and a technology enthusiast who loves programming and exploring the world of Computer Science. Through ExQuizMe, he aims to make learning accessible, enjoyable, and empowering for students across the globe.