P-xylene appears as a colorless watery liquid with a sweet odor. Less dense than water. Insoluble in water. Irritating vapor. Freezing point is 56°F. (USCG, 1999)P-xylene is a xylene with methyl groups at positions 1 and 4.

Mainly used as raw material for the production of polyester fibers and resins, coatings, dyes and pesticides. Also used as a chromatographic analytical standard and solvent, as well as in organic synthesis.