2,4-Dinitrochlorobenzene
A highly activated dinitrochloroaromatic intermediate supplied by Chelora Chemicals — its chlorine is one of the most readily displaced in the whole chloronitrobenzene family, making it a versatile building block for dye, pigment and specialty amine chemistry — exported from Indonesia with full batch documentation on every shipment.
What 2,4-Dinitrochlorobenzene is, and why buyers source it
A working overview of the compound's chemistry, why its chlorine is so unusually reactive, and the grades Chelora Chemicals keeps in regular supply.
2,4-Dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) is a benzene ring carrying a chlorine at position 1 and two nitro groups at positions 2 and 4, both ortho/para to the chlorine. Each nitro group independently activates the ring carbon bearing the chlorine toward nucleophilic aromatic substitution, and with two of them acting together the chlorine here is displaced far more readily than in a mono-nitro chloronitrobenzene — this is the single most important practical fact about the molecule for anyone planning to use it as a synthesis intermediate.
At room temperature it is a pale yellow crystalline solid. It is practically insoluble in water but dissolves in common organic solvents, and is handled with particular care given both its acute toxicity profile and its well-documented ability to act as a potent skin sensitiser — full hazard and handling information is given below and should be read in full before this material is ordered.
Where it fits in the synthesis chain
Because the chlorine is so readily displaced, DNCB reacts cleanly with a wide range of nucleophiles: ammonia gives 2,4-dinitroaniline, amines give the corresponding N-substituted 2,4-dinitroanilines used across dye and pigment chemistry, and alkoxides or thiolates give the corresponding ether or thioether. It is also a standard substrate in laboratory assays of glutathione S-transferase enzyme activity, where the ease of its nucleophilic substitution by glutathione is exploited as a measurable reaction.
Grades we supply
Chelora Chemicals offers 2,4-Dinitrochlorobenzene in technical grade (≈97% assay) for standard industrial synthesis, and high-purity grade (99%+) for applications sensitive to colour or isomeric carryover. Both grades are supplied with a batch-wise certificate of analysis.
How 2,4-Dinitrochlorobenzene is made
An overview of the production route for orientation purposes. Our manufacturing partners' own process parameters and in-process controls are proprietary and are not disclosed beyond what is needed to interpret the certificate of analysis.
2,4-Dinitrochlorobenzene is manufactured commercially by nitrating p-nitrochlorobenzene (Para Nitro Chloro Benzene) with a mixed nitric/sulfuric acid system, introducing the second nitro group at the position ortho to the existing nitro group and ortho to the chlorine. This is the efficient, large-scale route; less efficient alternative routes reported in the literature include chlorinating 1,3-dinitrobenzene or nitrating o-nitrochlorobenzene, but these are not the basis of mainstream commercial production.
After nitration, the crude product is separated from the spent acid, washed, and crystallised to the required purity and colour before packing.
Why the starting material matters
Starting from Para Nitro Chloro Benzene rather than attempting a one-step double nitration of chlorobenzene gives much better control over where the second nitro group lands, since the first nitro group's own strong directing influence places the second nitration cleanly at the required position.
Industries and processes that use it
2,4-Dinitrochlorobenzene is consumed across dye and pigment intermediate chemistry, specialty amine synthesis, and biochemical research reagents. The fields below account for most of the demand we see through our export desk.
Dye & Pigment Intermediate Chemistry
Reaction with amines gives a wide range of N-substituted 2,4-dinitroanilines used across dye and pigment synthesis, exploiting the readily displaced chlorine.
Specialty Amine & Ether Synthesis
Reacts cleanly with ammonia, amines, alkoxides and thiolates to build dinitro-substituted anilines, ethers and thioethers for fine-chemical synthesis.
Biochemical Research Reagent
A standard substrate in laboratory assays measuring glutathione S-transferase enzyme activity, and in related biochemical research applications.
Immunology Research Reagent
Used in controlled research and some diagnostic settings for its well-characterised ability to induce a type IV (delayed) hypersensitivity skin response, a property exploited to assess T-cell-mediated immune function.
How the molecule is typically carried forward
The chlorine, activated by two nitro groups at once, is by far the most reactive handle on this molecule. Reaction classes below account for most of the ways 2,4-Dinitrochlorobenzene is converted into a finished intermediate.
Ammonolysis to 2,4-Dinitroaniline
Reaction with ammonia displaces the chlorine to give 2,4-dinitroaniline, itself a dye and pigment intermediate and a precursor to further nitroaromatic amine chemistry.
Reaction with Primary & Secondary Amines
A wide range of primary and secondary amines displace the chlorine under comparatively mild conditions, owing to the strong doubly-activated SNAr reactivity, to give N-substituted 2,4-dinitroanilines used across dye chemistry.
Reaction with Alkoxides & Thiolates
Sodium alkoxides or thiolates displace the chlorine to give the corresponding 2,4-dinitrophenyl ether or thioether, used in specialty synthesis and as biochemical reagents.
Reduction of the Nitro Groups
Under controlled catalytic hydrogenation, the nitro groups can be reduced to amines while chemists take care to manage the molecule's sensitivity; this is a less common route than direct chlorine displacement.
2,4-Dinitrochlorobenzene against other nitroaromatic building blocks we supply
Buyers sourcing DNCB often need its fluorine-substituted analogue for a different reactivity profile, or Para Nitro Chloro Benzene itself as the starting material. A quick reference to what else is on our regular supply list.
| Product | CAS Number | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2,4-Dinitrochlorobenzene | 97-00-7 | Chloro-dinitro aromatic | The product on this page — made by a second nitration of Para Nitro Chloro Benzene. |
| Para Nitro Chloro Benzene | 100-00-5 | Mono-chloro mono-nitro aromatic | The starting material for this product — see its product page. |
| 2,4-Dinitro Fluoro Benzene | 70-34-8 | Fluoro-dinitro aromatic | The fluorine analogue of this molecule (Sanger's reagent) — see its product page. |
| Meta Dinitrobenzene | 99-65-0 | Di-nitro aromatic | A related dinitroaromatic without a halogen substituent — see its product page. |
Exact physical constants and purity specifications are confirmed per batch on the certificate of analysis — treat the notes above as a sourcing guide, not a specification sheet, for products other than 2,4-Dinitrochlorobenzene.
Safety classification at a glance
Based on GHS classification as commonly listed for this substance. This is a summary for orientation only — always work from the current safety data sheet supplied with your specific batch.
Harmful/toxic by ingestion, skin contact and inhalation; treat all three exposure routes as significant.
Well documented to induce a type IV (delayed) hypersensitivity reaction on skin contact in nearly all exposed individuals; avoid any skin contact.
Repeated or even single exposure is strongly associated with contact dermatitis; this is one of its most consistently reported effects.
NFPA reactivity rating of 4 reflects this nitroaromatic's sensitivity to heat and shock; avoid friction, impact and uncontrolled heating.
Treat as hazardous to the aquatic environment; avoid any release to drains or waterways.
Impervious gloves (double-gloving recommended), full-body protection, splash-proof eye protection and respiratory protection are the baseline for routine handling.
Crystalline material can generate dust; local exhaust ventilation is strongly recommended during transfer and weighing.
Danger — GHS06 acute toxicity and skin-sensitisation pictograms apply.
This compound is both acutely toxic and a potent, well-documented skin sensitiser — essentially everyone who contacts it repeatedly develops a delayed hypersensitivity skin reaction, which is precisely why it is used in controlled research settings to test immune function. It must be handled with impervious gloves, full-body protective clothing, splash-proof eye protection and suitable respiratory protection at all times, with zero tolerance for skin contact. Its elevated NFPA reactivity rating also calls for care around heat, friction and shock during storage and handling. Full first-aid, storage, spill and PPE guidance is in the MSDS issued with every shipment, and should be read in full before this material is handled.
Keeping it on spec between delivery and use
General storage guidance for this grade. Site-specific storage rules, segregation requirements and re-test intervals should follow your own EHS procedures and the MSDS issued with your batch.
Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight, heat sources, friction and mechanical shock, in tightly closed original packaging and segregated from strong reducing agents and incompatible materials. Avoid generating or accumulating dust during handling. If a batch is held past its retest date, re-check assay, melting point and colour before use.
How it ships from Indonesia
Standard packing and export terms for this product. Confirm exact figures against your order — they vary slightly by destination and quantity.
What travels with every batch
Specification is agreed before the purchase order, not discovered on arrival. Every shipment of 2,4-Dinitrochlorobenzene leaves with a documented, checkable paper trail.
Certificate of Analysis
Batch-wise assay, melting point range and colour, issued against the agreed specification so your QC team can check it, not just file it.
Safety Data Sheet
GHS-format SDS in English covering hazard classification, handling, storage, first-aid and spill response for the exact grade shipped.
Technical Data Sheet
Reference physical and chemical properties, recommended storage and typical applications, for internal circulation to your process or R&D teams.
Certificate of Origin
Confirms Indonesian origin for customs clearance and any preferential-duty claim at your destination port.
Dangerous Goods Declaration
UN packing group, classification and shipper's declaration prepared ahead of loading so documentation never holds up customs.
Third-Party Inspection
Independent pre-shipment inspection and re-sampling can be arranged on request, at your cost, for buyers who require it as a matter of policy.
Frequently asked questions
What buyers most often ask our sales desk about this grade.
01What is 2,4-Dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) used for?+
02What is the CAS number of DNCB?+
03How is DNCB made?+
04What purity grades does Chelora Chemicals supply?+
05Is DNCB hazardous?+
06Why is this chlorine so much more reactive than on a mono-nitro chloronitrobenzene?+
07What packing options are available?+
08How long does delivery take?+
09Can I get a sample before placing a bulk order?+
10Do you supply other nitroaromatic building blocks?+
Need 2,4-Dinitrochlorobenzene on spec, on time?
Send us your required purity, quantity, packing preference and destination port. Our desk quotes most enquiries within one working day.