Ortho Nitroanisole
A nitrated aromatic ether supplied by Chelora Chemicals — made by nitrating Anisole (or, industrially, by methoxylation of 2-chloronitrobenzene) — used as a dye and pharmaceutical intermediate — exported from Indonesia with full batch documentation on every shipment.
What Ortho Nitroanisole is, and why buyers source it
A working overview of the compound's chemistry, the two different industrial routes to it, and the grades Chelora Chemicals keeps in regular supply.
Ortho Nitroanisole (2-nitroanisole) is a benzene ring carrying a methoxy group and a nitro group in the 1,2 (ortho) relationship. It combines the methoxy group's strong electron-donating character with the nitro group's strong electron-withdrawing character on adjacent ring carbons, giving a molecule with a notably large dipole moment and distinctive solvatochromic behaviour — a property that has made it useful as a probe molecule for studying solvent polarity in supercritical fluid systems, alongside its larger-volume roles as a synthesis intermediate.
With a melting point close to typical ambient temperature, it is usually supplied as a yellowish or light-red to amber liquid. It is only slightly soluble in water but miscible with most organic solvents, and like other nitroaromatics is handled as a material with suspected carcinogenic potential under full MSDS guidance.
Where it fits in the synthesis chain
Ortho Nitroanisole is used as an intermediate in the synthesis of various potential therapeutic compounds and as a dye intermediate and precursor for other chemicals. Reduction of the nitro group gives o-anisidine (2-methoxyaniline), itself a recognised dye and pigment intermediate used in azo-dye manufacture.
Grades we supply
Chelora Chemicals offers Ortho Nitroanisole in technical grade (≈98% 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 Ortho Nitroanisole 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 Nitroanisole can be reached by two distinct industrial routes. The first is direct electrophilic nitration of Anisole, where the strongly activating methoxy group directs the incoming nitro group predominantly to the ortho and para positions, giving a mixture of the two isomers that is then separated. The second, and the route most commonly described in the process literature, is methoxylation of 2-chloronitrobenzene (Ortho Nitrochlorobenzene): methanolic sodium hydroxide is added to the chloronitrobenzene and the mixture is heated under pressure, displacing the activated chlorine with methoxide to give this product directly in high yield.
After either route, the crude product is separated from residual reagents and by-products, washed, and distilled to the required purity and colour before packing.
Why the methoxylation route is often preferred industrially
Starting from Ortho Nitrochlorobenzene and displacing its activated chlorine with methoxide gives this single isomer directly and selectively, avoiding the isomer-separation burden that comes with nitrating anisole itself — which is why this route, despite starting from a different feedstock, is widely used at industrial scale.
Industries and processes that use it
Ortho Nitroanisole is consumed mainly as a dye and pharmaceutical intermediate, with additional specialty use as a solvatochromic research probe. The fields below cover the uses we see through our export desk.
o-Anisidine Dye Intermediate Chain
Reduction of the nitro group gives o-anisidine (2-methoxyaniline), a recognised dye and pigment intermediate used in azo-dye manufacture.
Pharmaceutical Intermediate Chemistry
Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of various potential therapeutic compounds.
Solvatochromic Research Probe
Its large dipole and distinctive solvatochromic behaviour make it a useful probe molecule for studying pure and mixed supercritical fluid solvent systems.
Fine-Chemical & Specialty Synthesis
Used more broadly as a dye intermediate and general precursor in fine-chemical synthesis.
How the molecule is typically carried forward
The nitro group is the principal reduction handle, giving access to o-anisidine chemistry, while the methoxy group is generally carried through unchanged. Reaction classes below cover the main ways this material is converted downstream.
Reduction to o-Anisidine
Catalytic hydrogenation converts the nitro group to a primary amine while the methoxy group is preserved, giving o-anisidine — the main downstream product made from this material.
Diazotization of o-Anisidine
Once reduced, o-anisidine diazotizes under standard cold, acidic conditions for azo-coupling chemistry in dye manufacture.
Acylation of o-Anisidine
o-Anisidine can be acylated at the amine nitrogen to give amide derivatives used in further dye and pharmaceutical intermediate synthesis.
Demethylation
Under suitable acidic or Lewis-acid conditions, the methyl ether can be cleaved to give the corresponding nitrophenol, a less common but recognised route for specialty synthesis.
Ortho Nitroanisole against Anisole and other building blocks we supply
Buyers sourcing ortho nitroanisole often need the parent Anisole for an earlier step, or a related nitroaromatic intermediate. A quick reference to what else is on our regular supply list.
| Product | CAS Number | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ortho Nitroanisole | 91-23-6 | Nitro aromatic ether | The product on this page — made by anisole nitration or chloronitrobenzene methoxylation. |
| Anisole | 100-66-3 | Aromatic ether | The parent compound for this product — see its product page. |
| Ortho Nitrochlorobenzene | 88-73-3 | Mono-chloro mono-nitro aromatic | The alternative starting material via methoxylation — see its product page. |
| Para Nitrophenol | 100-02-7 | Nitrophenol | A related oxygen-substituted nitroaromatic elsewhere in our range — 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 Ortho Nitroanisole.
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.
Associated in regulatory literature with carcinogenicity concerns (historically flagged under EU risk phrase R45, “may cause cancer”); treat with corresponding caution.
Harmful if swallowed; treat skin and inhalation exposure as significant as well, consistent with other nitroaromatics.
Classified for transport as hazard class 6.1 (toxic substances); ensure shipping documentation reflects this.
As with other nitroaromatics, overexposure is associated with methaemoglobinaemia; cyanosis, headache or dizziness after exposure needs prompt medical attention.
Impervious gloves, splash-proof eye protection and suitable respiratory protection are the baseline for routine handling.
Avoid any release to drains or waterways as a general nitroaromatic precaution.
Danger — confirm full GHS classification against the SDS for the exact grade shipped.
This compound is associated with suspected carcinogenicity and is harmful if swallowed, consistent with other nitroaromatics in our range; impervious gloves, full eye/face protection and suitable respiratory protection are the baseline for routine handling, with any skin contact avoided. 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. Its melting point sits close to typical ambient temperature, so a container may arrive as a liquid, a solid, or a mix of both; warm gently and mix before sampling if a batch has partially crystallised. If a batch is held past its retest date, re-check assay 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 Ortho Nitroanisole leaves with a documented, checkable paper trail.
Certificate of Analysis
Batch-wise assay (by GC), colour and isomer content, 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 Nitroanisole used for?+
02What is the CAS number of Ortho Nitroanisole?+
03How is Ortho Nitroanisole made?+
04What purity grades does Chelora Chemicals supply?+
05Is Ortho Nitroanisole hazardous?+
06Why would a buyer start from Ortho Nitrochlorobenzene rather than nitrating Anisole directly?+
07What packing options are available?+
08How long does delivery take?+
09Can I get a sample before placing a bulk order?+
10Do you supply the parent Anisole as well?+
Need Ortho Nitroanisole on spec, on time?
Send us your required purity, quantity, packing preference and destination port. Our desk quotes most enquiries within one working day.