Meta Nitrochlorobenzene
A chlorinated nitroaromatic intermediate supplied by Chelora Chemicals as the meta isomer made by chlorinating Nitrobenzene under its own meta-directing influence — a dye-intermediate building block distinct from the ortho/para isomer made from chlorobenzene — exported from Indonesia with full batch documentation on every shipment.
What Meta Nitrochlorobenzene is, and why buyers source it
A working overview of the compound's chemistry, how the meta isomer is produced from Nitrobenzene rather than chlorobenzene, and the grades Chelora Chemicals keeps in regular supply.
Meta Nitrochlorobenzene (3-chloronitrobenzene) is a benzene ring carrying a chlorine and a nitro group in the 1,3 (meta) relationship. It is the same overall formula, C₆H₄ClNO₂, as the ortho and para chloronitrobenzene isomers, but it is reached by a genuinely different industrial route: rather than nitrating chlorobenzene (which gives mostly the ortho and para isomers), it is made by chlorinating Nitrobenzene itself, where the nitro group's strong meta-directing influence puts the incoming chlorine almost entirely in the meta position.
At room temperature it is typically supplied as a moist, tan to pale yellow crystalline solid with a melting point a little above ambient temperature. Like the other chloronitrobenzene isomers in our range, it is practically insoluble in water but dissolves in common organic solvents, and is handled as a toxic material under full MSDS guidance rather than a benign commodity solid.
Where it fits in the synthesis chain
Meta Nitrochlorobenzene is used mainly as a dye and pigment intermediate. Reduction of the nitro group gives 3-chloroaniline, a building block used in azo-dye and agrochemical intermediate chemistry, and the chlorine — not activated toward nucleophilic substitution the way it is in the ortho and para isomers, since it sits meta rather than ortho/para to the nitro group — is generally carried through unchanged in this downstream chemistry rather than displaced.
Grades we supply
Chelora Chemicals offers Meta Nitrochlorobenzene in technical grade (≈97% assay) for standard dye-intermediate synthesis, and high-purity grade (98%+) for applications sensitive to isomeric (ortho/para-chloronitrobenzene) carryover. Both grades are supplied with a batch-wise certificate of analysis.
How Meta Nitrochlorobenzene 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.
Meta Nitrochlorobenzene is manufactured by the electrophilic chlorination of Nitrobenzene, typically under Lewis-acid catalysis (such as ferric chloride), rather than by nitrating chlorobenzene. Because the nitro group on the ring is a strong electron-withdrawing substituent, it directs the incoming electrophilic chlorine almost entirely to the meta position, giving meta-chloronitrobenzene as the dominant product — the same meta-directing logic that governs the second nitration step used to make Meta Dinitrobenzene elsewhere in our range.
This route stands in deliberate contrast to how the ortho and para isomers are made: those come from nitrating chlorobenzene, where chlorine's own weak ortho/para-directing effect governs the outcome. Starting from nitrobenzene and chlorinating it, instead, is the practical industrial way to reach the meta isomer in good selectivity, since there is no realistic way to steer a nitration of chlorobenzene toward the meta position in useful yield.
Why the starting material matters
Buyers sometimes ask why this isomer isn't simply separated from the ortho/para nitration mixture made from chlorobenzene — the answer is that only around 1% of that mixture is the meta isomer, far too little to isolate economically, which is why the meta isomer is instead made by the entirely different chlorination-of-nitrobenzene route described above.
Industries and processes that use it
Meta Nitrochlorobenzene is consumed mainly as a dye and agrochemical-intermediate building block. The fields below account for most of the demand we see through our export desk.
Azo-Dye Intermediate Chemistry
Reduction of the nitro group gives 3-chloroaniline, a building block used widely in azo-dye intermediate synthesis.
Agrochemical Intermediate Chemistry
3-Chloroaniline and related meta-chloro aniline derivatives are used as starting materials in several agrochemical synthesis routes.
Fine-Chemical & Specialty Synthesis
Used more broadly as a meta-substituted chloronitroaromatic building block in fine-chemical and specialty-intermediate chemistry.
Comparative Isomer Chemistry
Supplied alongside the ortho isomer for processes that specifically require the meta-substitution pattern rather than the ortho/para one.
How the molecule is typically carried forward
The nitro group is the principal reactive handle for reduction chemistry, while the meta-positioned chlorine is comparatively unreactive toward nucleophilic displacement. Reaction classes below account for most of the ways Meta Nitrochlorobenzene is converted into a finished intermediate.
Reduction to 3-Chloroaniline
Catalytic hydrogenation or chemical reduction converts the nitro group to a primary amine, giving 3-chloroaniline while leaving the chlorine in place — the main downstream product made from this material.
Diazotization of the Reduced Amine
3-Chloroaniline, once formed, diazotizes under standard cold, acidic conditions (sodium nitrite / mineral acid) to give a diazonium salt for azo-coupling chemistry, the core reaction of azo-dye manufacture.
Acylation of the Reduced Amine
3-Chloroaniline can also be acylated at the amine to give amide derivatives used in some agrochemical and specialty-chemical synthesis routes.
Limited Reactivity at the Chlorine
Because the chlorine sits meta, not ortho or para, to the nitro group, it is not significantly activated toward nucleophilic aromatic substitution and is generally carried through unchanged rather than displaced in downstream chemistry.
Meta Nitrochlorobenzene against other nitroaromatic building blocks we supply
Buyers sourcing meta nitrochlorobenzene often need the ortho isomer for a different process, or Nitrobenzene itself as the shared starting point. A quick reference to what else is on our regular supply list.
| Product | CAS Number | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meta Nitrochlorobenzene | 121-73-3 | Mono-chloro mono-nitro aromatic | The product on this page — made by chlorinating Nitrobenzene (meta-directed). |
| Ortho Nitrochlorobenzene | 88-73-3 | Mono-chloro mono-nitro aromatic | Made from chlorobenzene nitration (ortho/para mixture) — see its product page. |
| Nitrobenzene | 98-95-3 | Mono-nitro aromatic | The shared starting material for both chloronitrobenzene routes — see its product page. |
| Meta Dinitrobenzene | 99-65-0 | Di-nitro aromatic | Made by further nitration of nitrobenzene under the same meta-directing logic — 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 Meta Nitrochlorobenzene.
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.
Toxic in contact with skin.
Harmful to aquatic life with long-lasting effects.
Readily absorbed through intact skin; avoid any skin contact and use impervious gloves at all times.
Supplied as a moist crystalline solid; local exhaust ventilation is recommended if dust is generated during drying or transfer.
Avoid any release to drains or waterways given its aquatic toxicity classification.
Impervious gloves, splash-proof eye protection and suitable respiratory protection are the baseline for routine handling.
Danger — GHS06 acute toxicity pictogram applies.
This compound is toxic by skin contact and harmful if swallowed, and is readily absorbed through intact skin, so impervious gloves and full skin protection should be used at all times with no exposed skin during handling. It is also harmful to aquatic life with long-lasting effects, so spill and waste handling must prevent any release to drains or waterways. 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 and ignition sources, in tightly closed original packaging, segregated from strong oxidizing and strong reducing materials. Because this material is typically supplied as a moist crystalline solid, keep containers closed when not in active use to limit moisture loss or uptake. If a batch is held past its retest date, re-check assay, melting point and isomer content 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 Meta Nitrochlorobenzene leaves with a documented, checkable paper trail.
Certificate of Analysis
Batch-wise assay, melting point range, isomer content 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 Meta Nitrochlorobenzene used for?+
02What is the CAS number of Meta Nitrochlorobenzene?+
03How is Meta Nitrochlorobenzene made, and how is that different from the ortho isomer?+
04What purity grades does Chelora Chemicals supply?+
05Is Meta Nitrochlorobenzene hazardous?+
06Why doesn't the chlorine on this molecule react the way it does on the ortho isomer?+
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 Meta Nitrochlorobenzene on spec, on time?
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