3-Chloro-2-Methylaniline
A chlorinated o-toluidine intermediate supplied by Chelora Chemicals for azoic and naphthol dyeing chemistry — a specialty-scale grade exported from Indonesia to order, with full batch documentation on every shipment.
What 3-Chloro-2-Methylaniline is, and why buyers source it
A working overview of the compound's chemistry, its place in the aniline-derivative family, and the grades Chelora Chemicals keeps in regular supply.
3-Chloro-2-Methylaniline carries both a methyl group beside the amine and a chlorine one position further round the ring. The methyl donates electron density while the chlorine withdraws it, and the pair sit on the same side of the molecule — a combination that tunes both the amine's reactivity and the shade of the azo dyes built from it. It is the least common of the chloro-o-toluidines and is traded as a specialty rather than a bulk item.
At room temperature it is a liquid, clear yellow to red-brown, darkening further on exposure to air and light. Its melting point of 2–3 °C is close enough to ambient that the material will solidify in a chilled store, so it shares the cold-weather handling requirement of ortho chloroaniline. It is sparingly soluble in water and boils at 245 °C at atmospheric pressure, though distillation is normally run under vacuum at 115–117 °C and 10 mmHg.
Where it fits in the synthesis chain
This grade is used principally as a diazo component in azoic and naphthol dyeing. Diazotized and coupled on the fibre with Naphthol AS, AS-BO and AS-ITR coupling components, it develops red shades on cotton, viscose, silk, nylon and acetate, and is used in cotton printing. It is also described as a pesticide and pharmaceutical intermediate, though we would rather not name specific actives on a product page than cite ones we cannot verify — tell our desk your target and we will discuss it directly.
Grades we supply
Chelora Chemicals supplies 3-Chloro-2-Methylaniline in technical grade (98%) and high-purity grade (99%+), both with a batch-wise certificate of analysis. Because this is a specialty-scale product rather than a stocked commodity, quantities and lead times are quoted against campaign availability. Trial quantities can usually be arranged before a larger commitment.
How 3-Chloro-2-Methylaniline 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.
3-Chloro-2-Methylaniline is produced by reducing the corresponding chloronitrotoluene, by catalytic hydrogenation or by the iron and hydrochloric acid Béchamp route. The chemistry of the reduction step is unremarkable; the difficulty, and the cost, lie upstream in reaching the right substitution pattern.
Simple chlorination of toluene or of o-toluidine does not deliver the 3-chloro pattern selectively, so a directed route is required — one that fixes the relative positions of the methyl, the chlorine and the eventual amino group before the reduction. This is why this isomer sits well above its 4- and 5-chloro relatives in price and why it is produced in campaigns rather than continuously.
After reduction the amine is washed and distilled under vacuum. The distillation cut separates technical from high-purity grade; because closely related chlorotoluidine isomers boil near one another, that cut is where isomer purity is won or lost.
Why isomer identity needs checking on arrival
The chloro-o-toluidine family contains several compounds with confusingly similar names and close physical properties — 3-chloro-, 4-chloro- and 5-chloro-2-methylaniline among them. They are not interchangeable, and one of them, 4-chloro-2-methylaniline (CAS 95-69-2), carries an IARC Group 2A carcinogen classification and a harmonised EU Carc. 1B entry that the others do not. Verify CAS 87-60-5 on the certificate of analysis and the label at goods-in, rather than relying on a name alone.
Industries and processes that use it
3-Chloro-2-Methylaniline is consumed almost entirely as a synthesis intermediate. The four fields below account for most of the demand we see through our export desk.
Azoic & Naphthol Dyeing
Diazotized and coupled on the fibre with Naphthol AS, AS-BO and AS-ITR components to develop red shades on cotton, viscose, silk, nylon and acetate.
Textile Printing
Used as a diazo component in cotton printing, where the methyl and chlorine substituents together set the final shade.
Pigment Intermediates
A building block in azo pigment chemistry where a chlorinated toluidine diazo component is specified.
Specialty Synthesis
Supplied as an intermediate for pesticide and pharmaceutical research chemistry, and as a certified reference standard for residue analysis.
How the molecule is typically carried forward
The primary amine is the reactive handle. With the chlorine meta to the amine and the methyl ortho to it, the nitrogen stays available for the standard aniline transformations.
Diazotization
Nitrous acid generated in situ from sodium nitrite and mineral acid below 5 °C converts the amine to the diazonium salt.
Azo Coupling on the Fibre
The diazonium salt is coupled with a naphthol coupling component already fixed on the textile, developing the insoluble azo pigment in situ — the defining step of azoic dyeing.
Acylation
Reaction with an acid chloride or anhydride gives the anilide, used to build further intermediates.
Sandmeyer Substitution
Under copper catalysis the diazonium salt exchanges nitrogen for halide or cyanide, opening routes to other substituted chlorotoluenes.
3-Chloro-2-Methylaniline against its near relatives
The chlorinated o-toluidines are a family in which names mislead and CAS numbers decide. The table below sets out the ones that matter commercially, including one we do not supply and which should never be confused with the others.
| Product | CAS Number | Typically Used In | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Chloro-2-Methylaniline | 87-60-5 | Azoic and naphthol dyeing, specialty synthesis | The product on this page. No IARC evaluation, no CMR classification. |
| 5-Chloro-2-Methylaniline | 95-79-4 | Fast Red KB Base azoic dyeing, azo pigments | Also supplied — see its product page. IARC Group 3. |
| 4-Chloro-2-Methylaniline | 95-69-2 | Historically Fast Red TR Base | Not supplied. IARC Group 2A and EU Carc. 1B — listed here only so it is not confused with the grades above. |
| Ortho Chloroaniline | 95-51-2 | Sulfonylurea herbicides, azo dyes, MOCA | The unmethylated relative — 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 rather than a specification sheet.
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 if swallowed.
Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled.
Causes skin irritation.
Causes serious eye irritation.
Harmful to aquatic life with long-lasting effects.
Danger — GHS05 corrosive, GHS07 harmful and GHS08 health hazard pictograms apply.
This substance has no harmonised entry in Annex VI to CLP, so classification is supplier self-classification under CLP Article 4(3) — and suppliers differ materially on this product. Some classify skin corrosion and respiratory sensitisation as above; others classify skin and eye irritation with organ toxicity instead. The codes listed here are a conservative envelope of those positions and are not a substitute for the safety data sheet issued with your batch, which is the document to work from. The respiratory sensitisation endpoint in particular should drive your ventilation and respiratory protection assessment. Transport is UN 3429, Class 6.1, Packing Group III. This substance carries no carcinogen or mutagen classification and has not been evaluated by IARC.
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, protected from light, in tightly closed original containers away from oxidizers and strong acids. The melting point of 2–3 °C means the product will solidify in a chilled store or a cold snap, so plan for melting and homogenising before use or sampling. Expect progressive darkening from yellow towards red-brown during storage; this is normal for a liquid chlorinated aniline and is a colour change rather than an assay change.
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 3-Chloro-2-Methylaniline leaves with a documented, checkable paper trail.
Certificate of Analysis
Batch-wise assay (by GC), isomer purity, melting point range and moisture, 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 3-Chloro-2-Methylaniline used for?+
02What is the CAS number of 3-Chloro-2-Methylaniline?+
03What purity grades does Chelora Chemicals supply?+
04Is 3-Chloro-2-Methylaniline hazardous?+
05How do I make sure I am buying the right chlorotoluidine isomer?+
06Does this product carry a carcinogen classification?+
07What packing options are available?+
08How long does delivery take?+
09Can I get a sample before placing a bulk order?+
10How is 3-Chloro-2-Methylaniline manufactured?+
11What is the shelf life, and how should it be stored?+
Need 3-Chloro-2-Methylaniline on spec, on time?
Send us your required purity, quantity, packing preference and destination port. Our desk quotes most enquiries within one working day.