2,4-Difluoronitrobenzene 1,3-Difluoro-4-nitrobenzene · CAS 446-35-5

What is 2,4-Difluoronitrobenzene?

2,4-Difluoronitrobenzene, formally 1,3-difluoro-4-nitrobenzene, is a benzene ring carrying two fluorine atoms and one nitro group in a fixed pattern, formula C₆H₃F₂NO₂. At room temperature it is a liquid, typically light yellow to brown, that boils around 203–204 °C.

Its value as a building block comes from the activated fluorines: the nitro group makes the ortho- and para-fluorines strongly electrophilic, so they undergo clean nucleophilic aromatic substitution with amines, alkoxides and other nucleophiles — the reaction that routes fluoroquinolone antibiotic intermediates and other fluorinated pharma and agro actives.

Commercially, it is produced by selective fluorination of a dichloro- or chloronitrobenzene precursor, or by direct nitration of a difluorobenzene, depending on the producer's fluorination route.

It ships as a toxic liquid (Class 6.1) rather than under flammable-liquid classifications in most jurisdictions — handling follows standard toxic-liquid precautions, with particular attention to vapour inhalation and skin contact.

Why 2,4-Difluoronitrobenzene specifically

• A clean SNAr substrate. The nitro-activated fluorines react predictably with amine and alkoxide nucleophiles, which is why fluoroquinolone and related pharma intermediate routes are built around this exact molecule.
• A key fluorine-chemistry building block. Used across a range of fluorinated pharmaceutical and agrochemical active-ingredient syntheses.
• Research and custom-synthesis utility. A standard reagent for introducing a fluorinated nitroaromatic fragment into a target molecule.
• The specific substitution pattern needed. The 2,4-difluoro pattern is distinct from other difluoronitrobenzene isomers, and routes built around it need this isomer specifically.

How 2,4-Difluoronitrobenzene is Manufactured

2,4-Difluoronitrobenzene is made through a controlled fluorination or nitration sequence, so supply tracks installed fluorination capacity rather than a generic aromatics feedstock stream.

• Precursor selection. A chloronitrobenzene or difluorobenzene precursor is chosen depending on the producer's preferred fluorination or nitration route.
• Halogen exchange or nitration. Chlorine-to-fluorine exchange (Halex) or direct nitration introduces the remaining substituent at the correct ring position.
• Purification. The crude product is purified by distillation to the target purity, typically 98% or better, with careful control of regiochemical isomers.
• Quality release. Assay, isomer purity and colour are confirmed against specification before the batch is released.
• Finishing and packing. The liquid is packed under dry, moisture-controlled conditions appropriate to a reactive fluoroaromatic.

Typical Commercial Specification

Figures below are representative of commercial-grade 2,4-difluoronitrobenzene. Tell us your downstream route and the grade you need, and we will advise on the specification to order against.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Behaviour in the process

2,4-Difluoronitrobenzene's reactivity pattern is what fluorine-chemistry and pharma intermediate producers are buying:

• Nucleophilic aromatic substitution. The nitro-activated fluorines are readily displaced by amine, alkoxide and thiolate nucleophiles, the key step in fluoroquinolone and related syntheses.
• Selective mono-substitution. The two fluorines differ in reactivity depending on ring position, allowing selective introduction of one nucleophile at a time under controlled conditions.
• Reduction chemistry. The nitro group can be reduced to the corresponding difluoroaniline under standard hydrogenation conditions.
• Thermal and chemical stability. Stable under normal storage; reacts exothermically with strong bases and reducing agents.

2,4-Difluoronitrobenzene and Related Fluoronitrobenzenes

2,4-Difluoronitrobenzene is one of several fluorinated nitrobenzene building blocks, and the choice between them depends entirely on the substitution pattern the target synthesis needs.

Stated plainly: the choice of fluoronitrobenzene isomer is dictated by the target molecule's exact substitution pattern — a route designed around fluoroquinolone-type chemistry needs this 2,4-isomer, and a different pattern requires a different starting material.

Industries We Supply 2,4-Difluoronitrobenzene To

The same fluoroaromatic building block feeds a pharmaceutical intermediate plant, an agrochemical producer, and a fluorine-chemistry research group. What changes is the downstream substitution chemistry and the documentation each requires.

Where 2,4-Difluoronitrobenzene is Used

2,4-Difluoronitrobenzene is bought for several distinct downstream chemistries. These are the applications our customers use it for.

In pharmaceutical synthesis

2,4-Difluoronitrobenzene is reacted with a cyclic amine or similar nucleophile under controlled conditions, displacing one of the activated fluorines via SNAr. This step builds the core fluoroaromatic fragment carried through fluoroquinolone antibiotic synthesis. Isomer purity and moisture content both affect reaction yield and selectivity.

In agrochemical and fluorine-chemistry applications

In agrochemical routes, the same SNAr chemistry introduces a fluorinated aromatic fragment into the target active ingredient. In research settings, the molecule's two differentiated fluorine positions make it a versatile scaffold for exploring selective nucleophilic substitution.

Quality Control & Testing

Every lot is released against a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis, with regiochemical isomer purity and moisture content reported alongside the main assay because both affect downstream SNAr yield and selectivity.

• 2,4-Difluoronitrobenzene content — by GC assay, the primary grade measure.
• Regiochemical isomer purity — positional isomer carryover, reported because it affects downstream substitution selectivity.
• Moisture content — measured because moisture can interfere with SNAr and reduction chemistry.
• Colour — reported as a general handling and storage-quality indicator.

Common Process Problems & Likely Causes

When this fluoroaromatic causes trouble, it is usually isomer carryover or moisture. This table is the shortcut our technical desk works through before anyone opens a complaint file.

Packaging, Storage & Shipping

• Standard packing. Drums or jerricans, typically 25 – 200 kg net, with larger bulk formats on contract supply.
• Moisture protection. Keep tightly sealed and protected from moisture ingress, which can interfere with downstream SNAr chemistry.
• Temperature control. Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sun and heat sources.
• Material compatibility. Avoid contact with strong bases, strong oxidisers and strong reducing agents.
• Shelf life. Best used within a reasonable period of manufacture; retest on long storage.
• Transport classification. UN 2810, Toxic liquid, organic, n.o.s., Class 6.1, Packing Group III. ADR, IMDG, IATA and DOT requirements apply to packing, labelling and routing.

Hazards & Safe Handling

2,4-Difluoronitrobenzene is toxic if swallowed, causes skin irritation and serious eye irritation, and may cause respiratory irritation. Standard toxic-liquid precautions and good laboratory and plant practice apply throughout handling.

• Skin and eye contact. Chemical-resistant gloves and goggles are standard practice; rinse thoroughly with water on contact and seek medical advice for eye exposure.
• Inhalation. Use adequate ventilation and avoid breathing vapour; work in a fume hood for laboratory-scale handling.
• Ingestion risk. Classified toxic if swallowed; handle under standard toxic-liquid controls.
• PPE. Chemical-resistant gloves, safety goggles and, where vapour is generated, a suitable respirator.
• Reactivity. Reacts exothermically with strong bases and reducing agents; keep separated in storage.

Regulatory & Compliance Notes

2,4-Difluoronitrobenzene is a registered specialty fluoroaromatic shipped as a Class 6.1 toxic liquid. Because obligations differ by territory and use, the notes below are orientation rather than legal advice — confirm your own position with your regulatory adviser.

• GHS classification. Classified as toxic if swallowed, a skin and eye irritant, and a respiratory irritant; the SDS carries the full hazard statements for your grade.
• REACH and chemical inventories. Registered under EU REACH and listed on major chemical inventories.
• Dangerous goods transport. UN 2810, Toxic liquid, organic, n.o.s., Class 6.1, Packing Group III. ADR, IMDG, IATA and DOT requirements apply to packing, labelling and routing.
• HS code. Commonly declared under the nitro-compound derivatives heading; confirm the exact tariff line with your customs broker for your jurisdiction.
• Quality agreements. Pharma and agrochemical producers commonly expect documented purity, regiochemical isomer purity and change control. Tell us what your agreement requires.

We Supply 2,4-Difluoronitrobenzene Worldwide

Chelora Chemicals is a supplier and export partner, not a single-plant trader. We ship 2,4-Difluoronitrobenzene from India and from partner sources to customers across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and North and South America, handling the export documentation and freight so the material arrives ready to use.

• Incoterms. EXW, FOB, CIF, CFR and DAP quoted to suit your purchasing terms and freight arrangements.
• Ports. Regular shipments through Nhava Sheva (JNPT) and Mundra, with other ports arranged as routing allows.
• Documentation. Commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, COA and SDS issued as a complete set.
• Flexible volumes. From trial quantities up to repeat bulk shipments on a supply contract.
• Supply continuity. Because we are independent of any one producer, a plant turnaround or a shipping disruption at one source does not have to become your stock-out.

Buying 2,4-Difluoronitrobenzene from Chelora

We are an independent sourcing and supply partner. For this product that means settling three things at enquiry: the purity and isomer-purity grade your application needs, the packing format, and the quantity you are buying.

• Documentation on every lot. Batch-specific COA with assay, isomer breakdown and moisture, plus the current SDS.
• Analysis before commitment. Representative analysis shared ahead of a commercial order so your lab can qualify the material.
• Quantities. Trial quantities through to larger bulk shipments on contract supply.
• Inspection. Independent third-party inspection available at loading when the contract requires it.
• Related fluoroaromatics. Other fluoronitrobenzene and fluoroaniline isomers alongside this product from one supplier.

How ordering works

• Send the enquiry. Purity, isomer-purity grade, quantity, destination port and the Incoterm you buy on. If you have a spec sheet, attach it — it saves a round trip.
• We quote. Price, lead time, packing format and a sample COA, normally within one working day.
• Qualify the supply. For first orders or pharma-grade applications, we share the analysis so your technical team can sign off before you commit.
• Confirm the order. Proforma invoice issued; payment terms agreed against the volume and the relationship.
• Allocation and QC. Material allocated and released against a batch-specific COA, with an independent inspection where the contract calls for it.
• Ship and document. Packed, labelled and loaded with the full export document set, and tracked through to arrival.

Related Fluoroaromatic & Nitroaromatic Intermediates

Buyers of 2,4-difluoronitrobenzene often source other fluorinated and nitroaromatic intermediates alongside it. Consolidating them cuts freight cost and gives you a single point of contact for documentation.