Mono Chlorobenzene
Mono Chlorobenzene is the parent compound of the entire chlorobenzene family — a high-boiling industrial solvent in its own right, and the starting point for the nitrochlorobenzene chemistry that feeds a large share of the dye, agrochemical and pharmaceutical intermediate trade.
What Mono Chlorobenzene 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.
Mono Chlorobenzene (chlorobenzene) is the simplest member of this part of our range: a single chlorine on an unsubstituted benzene ring. It is also the feedstock most of our other chlorobenzene products are either separated from (the di- and trichlorobenzenes form alongside it during benzene chlorination) or built from by further substitution.
Two broad commercial identities run from this one compound. As a solvent, it is valued for its high boiling point relative to simpler solvents, used in paints, adhesives, waxes and rubber processing. As a chemical intermediate, chlorination followed by nitration gives nitrochlorobenzenes, which are reduced to the anilines and diphenylamine that feed a wide share of the dye, agrochemical and pharmaceutical intermediate trade — including some of the other aniline-derivative products elsewhere in our catalogue.
Where it fits in the synthesis chain
We supply Mono Chlorobenzene itself. We do not manufacture or supply the nitrochlorobenzenes, anilines or diphenylamine made from it — those are downstream products from separate process chemistry.
Grades we supply
99.5%+ technical grade is the standard commercial offering; this is a large-volume commodity chemical and grading is straightforward compared to the specialty intermediates elsewhere in our range.
How Mono Chlorobenzene 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.
Mono Chlorobenzene is produced by direct catalytic chlorination of benzene: chlorine gas is reacted with benzene in the presence of a Lewis-acid catalyst, typically ferric chloride (FeCl3) or occasionally aluminium chloride, which polarises the chlorine molecule and makes the ring susceptible to electrophilic attack.
The reaction is run as a continuous process tuned to favour the mono-chlorinated product, since further chlorination of chlorobenzene itself gives the dichloro- and trichlorobenzene isomers as co-products — several of which we also supply, separated from this same production stream.
After the reaction, the product mixture is separated by fractional distillation: chlorobenzene itself, then the dichlorobenzene isomers (predominantly ortho- and para-, with meta- as a minor co-product), and finally the heavier trichlorobenzenes, each cut purified to commercial specification.
One reaction stream, several products in our range
It's worth understanding that Mono Chlorobenzene and several other products in this part of our catalogue — Ortho and Meta Dichlorobenzene, and the two trichlorobenzene isomers — are not independently manufactured from scratch each time, but are co-products separated from the same benzene-chlorination process stream, differing in how many chlorines ended up on the ring and where. That's a normal feature of this chemistry, not a sign of inconsistent sourcing.
Industries and processes that use it
Mono Chlorobenzene is consumed almost entirely as a synthesis intermediate. The four fields below account for most of the demand we see through our export desk.
Industrial Solvent
A high-boiling solvent used in paints, adhesives, waxes and rubber processing, valued for dissolving materials that lighter solvents can't handle as effectively.
Nitrochlorobenzene & Aniline Chain
Chlorination followed by nitration gives nitrochlorobenzenes, reduced downstream to anilines and diphenylamine — a chain feeding dye, agrochemical and pharmaceutical intermediate chemistry.
Dye & Pigment Intermediate Chemistry
Via its nitrochlorobenzene and aniline derivatives, this compound sits upstream of a large share of synthetic dye and pigment manufacture.
Historical Phenol & Pesticide Feedstock
Historically used as a DDT precursor and as feedstock for one industrial phenol process (the Dow process) — both now largely phased out in most markets, noted here for completeness rather than as a current recommended use.
How the molecule is typically carried forward
Mono Chlorobenzene's reaction chemistry centres on the activated ring: the chlorine both directs and moderates further electrophilic substitution, which is exactly how the nitrochlorobenzene chain and the other chlorobenzene isomers in our range are built from it.
Nitration
Electrophilic nitration installs a nitro group predominantly at the ortho and para positions relative to the existing chlorine, giving ortho- and para-nitrochlorobenzene — the entry point to a wide downstream aniline and dye-intermediate chain.
Further chlorination
Additional chlorination under more aggressive conditions gives the di- and trichlorobenzene isomers, several of which are also supplied in this part of our range as separately specified products.
Nucleophilic aromatic substitution (activated conditions)
Under suitably activated conditions (typically after nitration), the chlorine can be displaced by nucleophiles such as ammonia or hydroxide, a route used in specialty aniline and phenol derivative synthesis.
Mono Chlorobenzene against its near relatives
Mono Chlorobenzene and the two dichlorobenzene isomers share a common production stream and a family resemblance in their reaction chemistry, even though their commercial uses diverge — from bulk solvent to dye-carrier to minor specialty intermediate.
| Product | CAS Number | Typically Used In | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mono Chlorobenzene | 108-90-7 | Industrial solvent; nitrochlorobenzene/aniline chain | The product on this page. Liquid, mp −45.6 °C. |
| Ortho Dichlorobenzene | 95-50-1 | Metal degreasing solvent; textile dye carrier | Also supplied — see its product 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. |
| 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.
Flammable liquid and vapour.
Harmful if inhaled.
Causes skin irritation.
Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
Warning
Mono Chlorobenzene carries a harmonised classification under EU CLP Annex VI, Index number 602-033-00-1, consistent across the sources we checked: Flam. Liq. 3 (H226), Acute Tox. 4 by inhalation (H332), Skin Irrit. 2 (H315), and Aquatic Chronic 2 (H411). IARC has not evaluated this substance, and we found no SVHC or PBT/vPvB listing for it. The hazard profile here is dominated by flammability and acute inhalation toxicity rather than any carcinogenicity or persistence concern — a real difference from several of the more highly substituted chlorobenzenes elsewhere in this range.
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 ignition sources, consistent with a Category 3 flammable liquid. Keep containers tightly sealed and bonded/grounded during transfer to control static-ignition risk.
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 Mono Chlorobenzene 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 Mono Chlorobenzene used for?+
02What is the CAS number of Mono Chlorobenzene?+
03What purity grades does Chelora Chemicals supply?+
04Is Mono Chlorobenzene hazardous?+
05Is this the same as Para-Dichlorobenzene (the moth-repellent/toilet-block chemical)?+
06Do you supply the nitrochlorobenzenes or anilines made from this?+
07Is this still used to make DDT?+
08What packing options are available?+
09How long does delivery take?+
10Can I get a sample before placing a bulk order?+
11How is Mono Chlorobenzene manufactured?+
12What is the shelf life, and how should it be stored?+
Need Mono Chlorobenzene on spec, on time?
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