Ortho Nitro Aniline 2-Nitroaniline · CAS 88-74-4

What is Ortho Nitro Aniline?

Ortho Nitro Aniline, also known as 2-nitroaniline, is an aromatic compound carrying an amine and a nitro group ortho to each other on the same benzene ring, formula C₆H₆N₂O₂. At room temperature it is an orange to yellow crystalline solid, melting around 71–72 °C, with low solubility in water.

Its value lies in combining a reactive primary amine with the colour and electronic character the nitro group brings, which makes it both a direct dyestuff intermediate and a precursor to o-phenylenediamine when the nitro group is reduced. It is also used directly, without further modification, in several dye and pigment formulations.

Commercially, 2-nitroaniline is produced from ortho-nitrochlorobenzene (ONCB) by amination, replacing the chlorine with an amino group under pressure in the presence of ammonia. Residual ONCB and para-nitroaniline are the two impurities specifically tracked on a commercial Certificate of Analysis, reflecting both the feedstock and the closely related para isomer.

2-Nitroaniline is a regulated toxic chemical, handled with the general precautions common to nitroaromatic amines: skin absorption, irritancy and standard dangerous-goods documentation govern its storage and shipping.

Why Ortho Nitro Aniline specifically

• A direct dyestuff intermediate. Used as-is in several dye and pigment formulations, valued for its specific colour contribution.
• A route to o-phenylenediamine. Reduction of the nitro group gives the diamine used for benzimidazole-ring fungicides and pharma intermediates — an alternative route to the one starting from ONCB directly.
• A UV absorber intermediate. Used in the synthesis of UV-absorbing compounds for coatings and plastics.
• A well-characterised quality standard. National standards (such as India's BIS specification) define the exact impurity limits buyers should expect, making it a well-documented commodity intermediate.

How Ortho Nitro Aniline is Manufactured

2-Nitroaniline is made on purpose from ortho-nitrochlorobenzene by nucleophilic amination, so supply tracks ONCB availability and installed amination capacity.

• Amination of ONCB. Ortho-nitrochlorobenzene is reacted with aqueous or anhydrous ammonia under pressure and controlled temperature, substituting the chlorine with an amino group.
• Neutralisation and separation. The reaction mass is neutralised, and crude 2-nitroaniline is separated from ammonium chloride by-product and unreacted ONCB.
• Purification. The crude solid is purified by recrystallisation to the target purity, typically 99.5% or better.
• Drying and milling. The purified solid is dried and milled to the particle form the customer's process needs.
• Finishing and packing. The finished crystalline solid is packed in moisture-barrier packaging.

Typical Commercial Specification

Figures below are representative of commercial-grade 2-nitroaniline, consistent with widely used national specifications for this material. Tell us your downstream route and we will advise on the grade to order against.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Behaviour in the process

2-Nitroaniline's reactivity pattern is what both dye chemists and pharma intermediate producers are buying:

• Direct colour contribution. The specific conjugation between the amine and the ortho-nitro group gives it a distinct colour, used directly in dye and pigment formulations.
• Clean nitro reduction. Catalytic or chemical reduction converts the nitro group to a second amine, giving o-phenylenediamine for benzimidazole-ring and pharma chemistry.
• Isomer sensitivity. Para-nitroaniline carry-over shifts shade and purity in the finished dye or pigment, which is why it is a named, limited impurity.
• Thermal decomposition. Decomposes on prolonged heating near its boiling point rather than distilling cleanly, which is relevant to process design.

Ortho Nitro Aniline and Related Nitroanilines

2-Nitroaniline is one of three nitroaniline isomers, and each has a distinct colour and application profile.

Stated plainly: the nitroaniline isomers are not interchangeable — colour, reactivity and downstream chemistry all depend on exactly where the nitro group sits relative to the amine, so a formulation built around 2-nitroaniline requires that specific isomer.

Industries We Supply Ortho Nitro Aniline To

The same crystalline intermediate feeds a dye manufacturer, a pharma intermediate plant and a UV-absorber producer. What changes is the downstream chemistry and the documentation each requires.

Where Ortho Nitro Aniline is Used

2-Nitroaniline is bought both as a direct dyestuff and as an intermediate for further chemistry. These are the end uses our customers buy it for.

In dye and pigment manufacture

2-Nitroaniline's specific amine-nitro conjugation gives it a distinct colour contribution that formulators use directly, without further modification, in a range of dyestuff and pigment products. Isomer purity (specifically, para-nitroaniline carry-over) is tracked because it shifts the finished shade.

In pharmaceutical and agrochemical intermediate manufacture

Reduction of the nitro group gives o-phenylenediamine, which is cyclised into the benzimidazole ring that underpins a wide range of fungicides and pharmaceutical actives — an alternative, amine-first route to the same diamine that can also be reached by reducing ONCB directly.

Quality Control & Testing

Every lot is released against a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis, with the two named impurities, ONCB and para-nitroaniline, reported alongside purity because both affect downstream colour and performance.

• 2-Nitroaniline content — by gas chromatography, the primary grade measure.
• Residual ortho-nitrochlorobenzene (ONCB) — a named feedstock-carryover impurity under widely referenced national standards.
• para-Nitroaniline — a named isomer impurity that affects downstream shade.
• Melting / crystallising point — a fast indicator of purity.
• Moisture — measured to limits relevant to handling and downstream reaction stoichiometry.

Common Process Problems & Likely Causes

When 2-nitroaniline causes trouble, it is usually ONCB or para-nitroaniline carry-over, or moisture. This table is the shortcut our technical desk works through before anyone opens a complaint file.

Packaging, Storage & Shipping

• Standard packing. HDPE-lined bags or steel drums, typically 25 kg net, palletised and shrink-wrapped for export.
• Temperature control. Store below the melting point (71–72 °C) and away from direct sun and heat sources.
• Material compatibility. Avoid contact with strong oxidisers and strong acids.
• Shelf life. Stable in sealed, dry packaging; moisture ingress is the main degradation route for the solid.
• Transport. Shipped as a toxic solid under standard dangerous-goods documentation; confirm the exact classification with your carrier for your shipping lane.

Hazards & Safe Handling

2-Nitroaniline is harmful by ingestion, inhalation and skin contact, and is absorbed through intact skin, which makes closed handling and appropriate PPE central to safe use.

• Acute toxicity. Harmful if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed through skin; avoid all three routes of exposure.
• Skin and eye contact. Causes irritation. Wear chemical-resistant gloves and goggles; rinse thoroughly with water on contact.
• Dust. Avoid generating dust during handling; use local exhaust ventilation where appropriate.
• PPE. Chemical-resistant gloves, goggles and a dust mask for powder handling.
• Environment. Avoid uncontrolled discharge to water; follow local effluent and waste-disposal rules.

Regulatory & Compliance Notes

2-Nitroaniline is a registered industrial chemical covered by well-established national specifications for dyestuff intermediates. 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. Typically classified as harmful by multiple routes of exposure, with skin and eye irritation; the SDS carries the full hazard statements for your grade.
• National dyestuff specifications. Covered by established national standards for 2-nitroaniline (such as India's BIS specification), which define ONCB and para-nitroaniline limits by gas chromatography.
• REACH and chemical inventories. Registered under EU REACH and listed on major chemical inventories.
• HS code. Commonly declared under the aniline derivatives heading; confirm the exact tariff line with your customs broker for your jurisdiction.
• Quality agreements. Dye and pharma intermediate producers commonly expect documented ONCB, para-nitroaniline and moisture limits and change control. Tell us what your agreement requires.

We Supply Ortho Nitro Aniline Worldwide

Chelora Chemicals is a supplier and export partner, not a single-plant trader. We ship Ortho Nitro Aniline 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 bag and drum 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 Ortho Nitro Aniline from Chelora

We are an independent sourcing and supply partner. For 2-nitroaniline that means settling three things at enquiry: the purity and named-impurity tolerance your shade specification requires, the particle form you need, and the quantity you are buying.

• Documentation on every lot. Batch-specific COA with purity, ONCB, para-nitroaniline 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. Bag and drum trial quantities through to full bulk shipments on contract supply.
• Inspection. Independent third-party inspection available at loading when the contract requires it.
• Related intermediates. ONCB and PNCB alongside this product from one supplier.

How ordering works

• Send the enquiry. Purity, 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, particle form and a sample COA, normally within one working day.
• Qualify the supply. For first orders or shade-critical 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 Nitroaromatics & Aniline Intermediates

Buyers of 2-nitroaniline often source its ONCB feedstock or related aniline intermediates alongside it. Consolidating them cuts freight cost and gives you a single point of contact for documentation.