Solvent Naphtha (Petroleum), Light Aromatic

Light aromatic petroleum naphtha (CAS 64742-95-6) is a lower-boiling aromatic solvent cut refined from crude oil, containing C6–C10 alkylated benzene compounds. It is the lighter sibling of heavy aromatic naphtha (CAS 64742-94-5) and appears as a co-solvent in carburetor cleaners, fuel-system cleaners, and industrial parts washers.

The aromatic hydrocarbon content gives it strong solvency for petroleum-based deposits — gum, varnish, and lacquer formed by oxidized gasoline. In carb-cleaner formulas it is typically blended with the heavier aromatic naphtha cut and a coupling agent (such as 2-butoxyethanol) to improve surface wetting and deposit penetration.

Aquatic toxicity is well-documented: LC50 values of 8.8 mg/L for rainbow trout and EC50 of 2.7–5.1 mg/L for Daphnia pulex represent chronic aquatic hazard. The compound is non-biodegradable and bioaccumulative. At 10–20% of a finished product formulation, it is a meaningful contributor to the product-level aquatic hazard classification (H411).