Ortho Nitrotoluene
A distilled mononitrotoluene, supplied as 2-nitrotoluene for reduction to o-toluidine and onward azo dye, pigment and agrochemical chemistry.
What is Ortho Nitrotoluene?
Ortho Nitrotoluene, formally 1-methyl-2-nitrobenzene, is a clear yellow oily liquid made by nitrating toluene and separating the ortho isomer from its para and meta relatives by distillation and crystallisation.
The methyl group and the nitro group sit next to each other on the ring, and that is what the downstream chemistry is built on. Reduction of the nitro group gives o-toluidine, an amine used across azo dye and pigment manufacture, where the methyl neighbour shifts the shade towards the reds and violets and improves the fastness of the coupled product.
At Chelora Dyes, ONT is distilled to tight isomer and moisture limits, so the reduction step runs at predictable yield and the o-toluidine it produces carries no isomeric impurity into the coupling stage.
- Appearance
- Clear yellow liquid
- Odour
- Aromatic, almond-like
- Solubility
- Organic solvents
- Function
- Reduction feedstock
- Grade
- Technical / distilled
Toluene ring with an ortho nitro substituent
- Molecular formulaC7H7NO2
- Molecular weight137.14 g/mol
- IUPAC name1-Methyl-2-nitrobenzene
- Functional groupsNitro, methyl
- CAS number88-72-2
Technical product information
Standard specification for Chelora Dyes' distilled grade Ortho Nitrotoluene. Custom-grade and bulk specifications are available on request.
| Chemical name | Ortho Nitrotoluene |
|---|---|
| Synonyms | 2-Nitrotoluene, o-Nitrotoluene, ONT, 1-Methyl-2-nitrobenzene |
| CAS number | 88-72-2 |
| Molecular formula | C7H7NO2 |
| Molecular weight | 137.14 g/mol |
| Assay (purity) | ≥ 99.0% |
| Appearance | Clear yellow oily liquid |
| Setting point | Approx. −4°C |
| Boiling point | 220–222°C |
| Density | Approx. 1.16 g/cm³ at 20°C |
| Refractive index | Approx. 1.545 at 20°C |
| Para + meta isomers | ≤ 0.5% |
| Moisture content | ≤ 0.1% |
| Solubility | Practically insoluble in water; miscible with alcohol, ether, benzene |
| Packaging | 250 kg lined MS / HDPE drums, ISO tanks, road tankers |
| Shelf life | 24 months in sealed original packaging |
Applications of Ortho Nitrotoluene
o-Toluidine manufacture
The primary outlet: reduction of the nitro group gives o-toluidine for downstream diazotization and coupling.
Azo dyes
Feeds the toluidine chemistry behind red, bordeaux and violet azo shades used in textile dyeing.
Organic pigments
Supplies intermediates for toluidine-based pigment ranges used in printing inks, coatings and plastics.
Agrochemical intermediates
Used as a starting material where a methyl-substituted aniline core is required in crop protection chemistry.
Rubber chemicals
Applied in accelerator and antioxidant synthesis alongside other specialty chemical routes.
Fine chemical intermediates
Oxidation and side-chain chemistry give nitrobenzaldehyde and nitrobenzoic acid derivatives for further synthesis.
Why choose Chelora Dyes
Consistent purity
Assay controlled at ≥99% with isomer content and moisture verified before dispatch.
Full documentation
COA, SDS, and regulatory data supplied with every shipment.
Flexible volumes
From single drums to ISO tank and road tanker quantities.
Technical support
Reduction, handling, and compliance guidance from our chemistry team.
Storage and guidelines
- Store in tightly sealed original drums in a cool, dry, well-ventilated store.
- Keep out of direct sunlight and away from heat and ignition sources.
- Segregate from strong oxidising agents, reducing agents and strong bases.
- Bond and earth containers during any transfer or decanting operation.
- Use compatible containers: lined mild steel or HDPE drums and tanks.
- Bund the storage area and keep spillage out of drains and surface water.
Handling precautions
Ortho Nitrotoluene is toxic and readily absorbed through intact skin. Repeated or uncontrolled exposure can cause methaemoglobinaemia.
It also carries carcinogenicity and reproductive hazard classifications in several jurisdictions, so exposure should be reduced as far as reasonably practicable and closed systems used wherever possible.
Use chemically resistant gloves, chemical splash goggles and protective clothing, with local exhaust ventilation at every open transfer or sampling point.
Refer to the current Safety Data Sheet for exposure limits, health surveillance guidance, spill containment, disposal and first-aid measures before any handling operation.
Frequently asked questions
What is Ortho Nitrotoluene used for?
Its main use is as the feedstock for o-toluidine, obtained by reduction of the nitro group. o-Toluidine is a diazo and coupling component behind a wide range of azo dyes and organic pigments, and the same intermediate is used in agrochemical and rubber chemical manufacture.
How is it different from para nitrotoluene?
Nitration of toluene produces both isomers together, and they are separated by distillation and crystallisation. The ortho isomer is a liquid at room temperature and leads to o-toluidine, while the para isomer is a solid and leads to p-toluidine. The two amines give different shades and fastness behaviour once coupled.
Is Ortho Nitrotoluene soluble in water?
No. It is practically insoluble in water but miscible with alcohol, ether, benzene and most common organic solvents.
What purity do you supply?
Standard distilled grade is supplied at a minimum assay of 99%, with combined para and meta isomers and moisture held within tight limits. Higher assay material can be manufactured to order.
Is it flammable?
It is a combustible liquid rather than a flammable one, with a flash point above 100°C, but it must still be kept away from heat, ignition sources and strong oxidising agents, and containers should be bonded and earthed during transfer.
What packaging sizes are available?
250 kg lined mild steel or HDPE drums, with bulk supply available in ISO tanks and road tankers.
How should it be stored, and for how long?
In sealed original drums in a cool, dry, ventilated store out of direct sunlight and away from strong oxidisers and reducing agents. Shelf life is 24 months from manufacture when storage conditions are maintained.
Is it hazardous to handle?
Yes. It is toxic, absorbed through the skin, can cause methaemoglobinaemia, and carries carcinogenicity and reproductive hazard classifications in several jurisdictions. Handle in closed systems with full personal protective equipment and read the current Safety Data Sheet before any operation.
Do you provide a Certificate of Analysis?
Yes. Each batch ships with a Certificate of Analysis and Safety Data Sheet covering assay, isomer content, moisture, appearance and density.
