Ortho Dichlorobenzene
Ortho Dichlorobenzene is the dichlorobenzene isomer most widely used as a solvent in its own right — a classic metal-degreasing solvent and textile dye carrier, co-produced alongside Mono Chlorobenzene in the same benzene-chlorination stream.
What Ortho Dichlorobenzene 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.
Ortho Dichlorobenzene (1,2-dichlorobenzene) places its two chlorines adjacent to each other on the ring. Of the two dichlorobenzene isomers we supply, this is the higher-volume, more widely used one — it has real, well-documented standalone solvent applications, unlike the meta isomer, which is closer to a minor co-product with narrower use.
Its signature application is as a dye carrier and levelling agent in textile dyeing — a well-established, long-standing use that helps dyes penetrate synthetic fibres more evenly. Alongside that, it is used as a metal-degreasing solvent, as a process solvent in toluene diisocyanate (TDI) manufacture, and in pesticide/termiticide formulation.
Where it fits in the synthesis chain
We supply Ortho Dichlorobenzene as a solvent and process chemical in its own right — it is not primarily sold onward as a feedstock for further synthesis, unlike several other products in our range.
Grades we supply
99%+ technical grade is the standard commercial offering.
How Ortho Dichlorobenzene 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.
Ortho Dichlorobenzene is produced as a co-product of direct benzene chlorination, alongside Mono Chlorobenzene and the para- and meta-dichlorobenzene isomers. The reaction conditions (catalyst loading, chlorine stoichiometry, temperature) are tuned to shift the product mix across mono-, di- and trichlorinated products, and this isomer is separated from that mixed stream rather than made in a dedicated reaction of its own.
Separation from the other dichlorobenzene isomers — principally the para isomer, which is the dominant co-product, with the meta isomer forming only in minor amount — is achieved by fractional distillation, taking advantage of the isomers' differing boiling points, followed by crystallization steps where tighter isomeric purity is required.
The finished product is tested for isomeric purity, residual mono- and trichlorobenzene carryover, and moisture before release, since solvent-grade specifications for dye-carrier and degreasing applications are sensitive to exactly these impurities.
Why this isomer, not the meta isomer, dominates solvent use
Ortho Dichlorobenzene is the dichlorobenzene isomer with the most developed standalone solvent market — its particular combination of boiling point, polarity and chemical stability suits it well to dye-carrier and degreasing applications in a way the meta isomer, formed only as a minor co-product, has never been commercially developed for at comparable scale.
Industries and processes that use it
Ortho Dichlorobenzene is consumed almost entirely as a synthesis intermediate. The four fields below account for most of the demand we see through our export desk.
Textile Dye Carrier & Levelling Agent
A classic, well-established use: helps synthetic-fibre dyes penetrate more evenly during the dyeing process.
Metal Degreasing Solvent
Used to dissolve and remove oils, greases and waxes from metal parts in industrial cleaning processes.
TDI Manufacturing Process Solvent
Used as a process solvent in the manufacture of toluene diisocyanate (TDI), a major polyurethane precursor.
Pesticide & Termiticide Formulation Solvent
Used as a formulation solvent in some pesticide and termiticide products, taking advantage of its solvency and moderate volatility.
How the molecule is typically carried forward
Ortho Dichlorobenzene is sold and used predominantly as a solvent rather than as a reactive intermediate, so its chemistry on this page is framed around what makes it a stable, effective solvent rather than a chain of synthetic transformations.
Further chlorination (not a standard use)
Additional chlorination can in principle give trichlorobenzene isomers, but this is not how this specific grade is typically used — our trichlorobenzene products are supplied as their own dedicated grades, not made by further-reacting this one.
Nucleophilic aromatic substitution under forcing conditions
The chlorines can be displaced by strong nucleophiles under forcing conditions in specialty synthesis, though this is a minor use relative to the compound's dominant role as a solvent.
Chemical stability as a solvent property
What matters more commercially is this compound's resistance to reaction under the conditions it's used in — it needs to dissolve substrates and carry dyes without itself reacting, and its chemical stability under normal process conditions is a key part of its value as a solvent.
Ortho Dichlorobenzene against its near relatives
Ortho and Meta Dichlorobenzene are the two dichlorobenzene isomers in our range, sharing a production stream with Mono Chlorobenzene but diverging sharply in commercial development — ortho has a mature standalone solvent market; meta does not.
| Product | CAS Number | Typically Used In | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ortho Dichlorobenzene | 95-50-1 | Metal degreasing solvent; textile dye carrier; TDI process solvent | The product on this page. Liquid, mp −17 °C. |
| Meta Dichlorobenzene | 541-73-1 | Minor-volume intermediate; specialty synthesis | Also supplied — see its product page. Liquid, mp −22 to −25 °C. |
| Mono Chlorobenzene | 108-90-7 | Industrial solvent; nitrochlorobenzene/aniline chain | Also supplied — see its product page. Liquid, mp −45.6 °C. |
| 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene | 120-82-1 | Dielectric/heat-transfer fluid; dye-carrier | Also supplied — see its product page. Liquid, mp 16.9 °C. |
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 skin irritation.
Causes serious eye irritation.
May cause respiratory irritation.
Very toxic to aquatic life.
Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
Warning
Ortho Dichlorobenzene carries a harmonised classification under EU CLP Annex VI, Index number 602-034-00-7: Acute Tox. 4 oral (H302), Skin Irrit. 2 (H315), Eye Irrit. 2 (H319), STOT SE 3 (H335), and Aquatic Acute 1 / Chronic 1 (H400/H410) — the most severe aquatic-hazard tier. IARC evaluated this substance in Monograph Volume 73 (1999) and placed it in Group 3, not classifiable as to carcinogenicity to humans. We found no SVHC or PBT/vPvB listing for it.
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, well-ventilated area away from strong oxidisers. Keep containers tightly sealed; its very low water solubility and high aquatic toxicity make spill containment and controlled disposal particularly important.
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 Ortho Dichlorobenzene 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 Ortho Dichlorobenzene used for?+
02What is the CAS number of Ortho Dichlorobenzene?+
03What purity grades does Chelora Chemicals supply?+
04Is Ortho Dichlorobenzene hazardous?+
05Is this the same as Meta Dichlorobenzene?+
06Has this substance been evaluated for cancer risk?+
07Why is the aquatic hazard classification so severe for this product specifically?+
08What packing options are available?+
09How long does delivery take?+
10Can I get a sample before placing a bulk order?+
11How is Ortho Dichlorobenzene manufactured?+
12What is the shelf life, and how should it be stored?+
Need Ortho Dichlorobenzene on spec, on time?
Send us your required purity, quantity, packing preference and destination port. Our desk quotes most enquiries within one working day.