ortho-Nitrotoluene 2-Nitrotoluene · CAS 88-72-2

What is ortho-Nitrotoluene?

ortho-Nitrotoluene, also known as 2-nitrotoluene, is a benzene ring carrying a nitro group at the 2-position relative to the methyl group, formula C₇H₇NO₂. It is supplied as a light yellow liquid at ambient temperature.

It is one of three mononitrotoluene isomers (ortho, meta, para) produced together by nitration of toluene, then separated by fractional distillation. Commercially its principal value is as the feedstock for ortho-toluidine, made by reducing the nitro group, which in turn feeds dye, pigment, rubber-chemical and agrochemical synthesis.

Commercially it is produced by nitrating toluene with a mixed nitric/sulfuric acid system and separating the ortho-, meta- and para-nitrotoluene isomers by fractional distillation.

Handling follows standard precautions for a mononitrotoluene — chemical-resistant gloves and eye protection, adequate ventilation, and storage away from strong oxidisers, strong acids and reducing agents. This is a more heavily classified intermediate than many anilines in the range; refer to the hazards section below before you handle or specify it.

Why ortho-Nitrotoluene specifically

• The feedstock for ortho-toluidine. Reduction of the nitro group gives ortho-toluidine, the building block most dye-intermediate routes built on this isomer are actually after.
• A specific nitro-methyl relationship. The ortho (2-) substitution pattern gives reactivity distinct from the meta- and para-nitrotoluene isomers.
• Dye, agrochemical and rubber-chemical intermediate. Used in syntheses across all three industries wherever this specific substitution pattern is required.
• Distinct from meta- and para-isomers. The reactivity and physical properties differ enough from 3- and 4-nitrotoluene that they are not interchangeable in most syntheses.

How ortho-Nitrotoluene is Manufactured

ortho-Nitrotoluene is produced by the nitration of toluene with a mixed nitric acid/sulfuric acid system, which generates all three mononitrotoluene isomers together.

• Nitration. Toluene is nitrated under controlled temperature with a nitric/sulfuric mixed-acid system, giving a mixture of ortho-, meta- and para-nitrotoluene.
• Acid separation and washing. The crude nitrotoluene mixture is separated from the spent acid and washed.
• Isomer separation. The ortho-, meta- and para-isomers are separated by fractional distillation to the target assay specification.
• Quality release and packing. Assay and isomer purity are confirmed against specification before the batch is packed and released.

Typical Commercial Specification

Figures below are representative of commercial-grade ortho-nitrotoluene. 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

ortho-Nitrotoluene's reactivity pattern is what toluidine, dye and agrochemical producers are buying:

• Nitro reduction. The nitro group reduces cleanly to the amine (ortho-toluidine) under catalytic hydrogenation or classical reduction systems.
• Electrophilic substitution. The ring can be further functionalised (e.g. chlorination) ahead of or after reduction, depending on the target route.
• Thermal stability. Stable under normal storage conditions away from strong oxidisers, strong acids and reducing agents; like other nitroaromatics it is heat-sensitive at elevated temperature.

ortho-Nitrotoluene and Related Nitrotoluenes

Choosing between nitrotoluene isomers comes down to the position of the nitro group relative to the methyl group that the target synthesis needs.

Stated plainly: a synthesis built around ortho-toluidine, or around the ortho-nitro pattern specifically, needs this isomer — the meta- and para-nitrotoluene isomers have different reactivity and are not drop-in substitutes.

Industries We Supply ortho-Nitrotoluene To

The same mononitrotoluene isomer feeds a toluidine producer, a dye-intermediate manufacturer and an agrochemical formulator. What changes is the downstream reduction or functionalisation chemistry and the documentation each requires.

Where ortho-Nitrotoluene is Used

In downstream functionalisation

ortho-Nitrotoluene's nitro group is carried through catalytic hydrogenation or classical reduction to give ortho-toluidine, which downstream producers then take through acylation, diazotisation or cyclisation chemistry to build the target dye, agrochemical or rubber-chemical intermediate. The ortho-nitro position gives reactivity distinct from the meta- and para-isomers, which is often exactly why a route is designed around this material specifically.

Quality Control & Testing

Every lot is released against a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis, with isomer purity reported alongside the main assay because meta- and para-nitrotoluene carryover affects downstream reduction selectivity and, in turn, the purity of the toluidine your process produces.

• ortho-Nitrotoluene content — by GC assay, the primary grade measure.
• Isomer purity — meta- and para-nitrotoluene carryover, reported because it affects downstream reduction chemistry.
• Appearance — colour reported because it is an early indicator of oxidation or moisture pickup in storage.

Common Process Problems & Likely Causes

Packaging, Storage & Shipping

• Standard packing. Drums or jerricans, typically 25 – 200 kg net, with larger bulk formats on contract supply.
• Temperature control. Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sun, heat and ignition sources; it is heat-sensitive at elevated temperature.
• Material compatibility. Avoid contact with strong oxidisers, strong acids and reducing agents.
• Transport classification. Commonly shipped under UN 1664 (Nitrotoluenes, liquid or solid), Class 6.1, Packing Group II — confirm the correct entry against your own current SDS before shipping.

Hazards & Safe Handling

ortho-Nitrotoluene is harmful if swallowed, in contact with skin or if inhaled, and carries germ-cell mutagenicity and carcinogenicity classifications alongside a reproductive-toxicity classification and long-term aquatic hazard. This is a more heavily classified intermediate than many anilines in the range — review the current SDS in full before specifying, handling or disposing of it.

• Skin and eye contact. Chemical-resistant gloves and goggles are standard practice for nitroaromatics; rinse thoroughly with water on contact.
• Inhalation. Use adequate ventilation when handling, given the material's toxicity and the vapour-exposure risk.
• PPE. Chemical-resistant gloves, safety goggles and, where vapour exposure is a concern, a suitable respirator.
• Environment. Harmful to aquatic life with long-lasting effects; avoid uncontrolled release to water and follow local effluent rules.
• Mutagenicity/carcinogenicity. Classified as a Category 1B mutagen and Category 1B carcinogen under GHS harmonised classification; minimise exposure and follow the engineering controls in your current SDS.

Regulatory & Compliance Notes

ortho-Nitrotoluene is a registered specialty nitrotoluene. Because obligations differ by territory and use, the notes below are orientation rather than legal advice.

• GHS classification. Harmonised classification under EU CLP includes acute toxicity (oral/dermal/inhalation), germ-cell mutagenicity Category 1B, carcinogenicity Category 1B, reproductive toxicity Category 2, and chronic aquatic hazard Category 2 (Signal word: Danger); 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. Commonly shipped under UN 1664 (Nitrotoluenes, liquid or solid), Class 6.1, Packing Group II. Confirm the correct entry with your logistics/EHS team against your current SDS before shipping.
• HS code. Commonly declared under the mononitrotoluene heading; confirm the exact tariff line with your customs broker for your jurisdiction.

We Supply ortho-Nitrotoluene Worldwide

Chelora Chemicals is a supplier and export partner, not a single-plant trader. We ship ortho-Nitrotoluene 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.

Buying ortho-Nitrotoluene 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 reduction step needs, the packing format, and the quantity you are buying.

• Documentation on every lot. Batch-specific COA with assay and isomer breakdown, 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 nitrotoluenes and toluidines. meta-Nitrotoluene, meta-Toluidine and other 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.
• We quote. Price, lead time, packing format and a sample COA, normally within one working day.
• Qualify the supply. For first orders or dye-/agrochemical-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.
• Ship and document. Packed, labelled and loaded with the full export document set, and tracked through to arrival.

Related Nitrotoluene & Toluidine Intermediates