Ortho Nitrochlorobenzene
A chlorinated nitroaromatic intermediate supplied by Chelora Chemicals as the ortho isomer from chlorobenzene nitration — the key starting material for several antipsychotic drug intermediates and dye precursors — exported from Indonesia with full batch documentation on every shipment.
What Ortho Nitrochlorobenzene is, and why buyers source it
A working overview of the compound's chemistry, how the ortho isomer is produced and separated, and the grades Chelora Chemicals keeps in regular supply.
Ortho Nitrochlorobenzene (2-chloronitrobenzene) is a benzene ring carrying a chlorine and a nitro group in the 1,2 (ortho) relationship. It is one of the two major isomers formed when chlorobenzene is nitrated; the chlorine substituent is a weak ortho/para director, so nitration of chlorobenzene gives a mixture dominated by the ortho and para isomers, with only a small amount of the meta isomer forming alongside them.
At room temperature it is a yellow crystalline solid with a melting point close to ambient temperature, meaning it can appear either as a solid or a low-melting liquid depending on handling conditions. It is practically insoluble in water but dissolves readily in common organic solvents, and like other nitroaromatics is handled as a toxic material rather than a benign commodity solid.
Where it fits in the synthesis chain
The chlorine substituent on this molecule is activated toward nucleophilic aromatic substitution by the adjacent nitro group, which is what makes ortho nitrochlorobenzene useful as a building block: the chlorine can be displaced by nitrogen, oxygen or other nucleophiles under conditions that would not touch an unactivated aryl chloride. Reduction of the nitro group instead gives 2-chloroaniline, a precursor to the dye and pigment intermediate 3,3'-dichlorobenzidine. Halogen-exchange (Halex) chemistry on the activated chlorine gives 2-fluoronitrobenzene, and reaction with a suitable alkoxide gives 2-nitroanisole — both representing further fluorination and etherification routes available from this one starting material.
Grades we supply
Chelora Chemicals offers Ortho Nitrochlorobenzene in technical grade (≈98% assay) for standard industrial synthesis, and high-purity grade (99%+) for applications sensitive to isomeric (meta/para-chloronitrobenzene) carryover. Both grades are supplied with a batch-wise certificate of analysis.
How Ortho 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.
Ortho Nitrochlorobenzene is manufactured by the direct nitration of chlorobenzene with a mixed nitric/sulfuric acid system, run under controlled, moderate temperature. Because chlorine is a weak ortho/para-directing substituent, the reaction gives a mixture typically reported as roughly 34–36% ortho isomer, 63–65% para isomer, and about 1% meta isomer.
The two major isomers are separated by fractional distillation and/or crystallisation, exploiting their different melting and boiling points, after the crude nitration mixture is washed free of residual acid. This separation step is the main process control point distinguishing a clean ortho-isomer cut from one carrying meaningful para-isomer contamination.
Why isomer separation matters to buyers
Because the ortho and para isomers are produced together and have overlapping physical properties, the quality of the downstream separation is what determines whether a batch sold as “ortho nitrochlorobenzene” is isomerically clean enough for sensitive pharmaceutical-intermediate synthesis, or only suitable for less isomer-sensitive uses.
Industries and processes that use it
Ortho Nitrochlorobenzene is consumed mainly as a pharmaceutical and dye-intermediate building block, with further volumes going into fluorination and etherification chemistry. The fields below account for most of the global demand we see through our export desk.
Antipsychotic Drug Intermediates
A key starting material in synthesis routes to several antipsychotic active pharmaceutical ingredients, including loxapine, quetiapine, amoxapine, clotiapine, metiapine and methopromazine.
Dye & Pigment Intermediate (3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine Route)
Reduction of the nitro group gives 2-chloroaniline, a precursor to 3,3'-dichlorobenzidine, an important dye and pigment intermediate.
Halex Fluorination Substrate
The activated chlorine undergoes halogen-exchange (Halex) fluorination to give 2-fluoronitrobenzene, a fluoroaromatic building block.
Etherification Substrate (2-Nitroanisole Route)
Reaction of the activated chlorine with a suitable alkoxide gives 2-nitroanisole, used in further fine-chemical synthesis.
How the molecule is typically carried forward
The nitro-activated chlorine is the principal reactive handle, alongside straightforward reduction of the nitro group itself. Reaction classes below account for most of the ways Ortho Nitrochlorobenzene is converted into a finished intermediate downstream.
Reduction to 2-Chloroaniline
Catalytic hydrogenation or chemical reduction converts the nitro group to a primary amine while leaving the chlorine untouched, giving 2-chloroaniline, the direct precursor to 3,3'-dichlorobenzidine.
Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution (SNAr) at Chlorine
The ortho nitro group activates the ring carbon bearing chlorine toward nucleophilic aromatic substitution, allowing nitrogen, oxygen and other nucleophiles to displace the chlorine under conditions that would not react with an unactivated aryl chloride — the basis of several of the pharmaceutical-intermediate routes built on this molecule.
Halex Fluorination
Under halogen-exchange conditions with a fluoride source, the activated chlorine is displaced by fluoride to give 2-fluoronitrobenzene.
Etherification
Reaction with a metal alkoxide displaces the activated chlorine to give an aryl ether, such as 2-nitroanisole from methoxide.
Ortho Nitrochlorobenzene against other nitroaromatic building blocks we supply
Buyers sourcing ortho nitrochlorobenzene often need the meta isomer for a different process, or Nitrobenzene itself for a parallel step. A quick reference to what else is on our regular supply list.
| Product | CAS Number | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ortho Nitrochlorobenzene | 88-73-3 | Mono-chloro mono-nitro aromatic | The product on this page — made by chlorobenzene nitration (ortho/para mixture). |
| Meta Nitrochlorobenzene | 121-73-3 | Mono-chloro mono-nitro aromatic | Made from nitrobenzene chlorination (meta-directed) — see its product page. |
| Nitrobenzene | 98-95-3 | Mono-nitro aromatic | The foundational nitroaromatic building block in our range — see its product page. |
| Meta Dinitrobenzene | 99-65-0 | Di-nitro aromatic | Made by further nitration of nitrobenzene — 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 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.
Toxic / harmful if swallowed.
Toxic / harmful in contact with skin.
May cause an allergic skin reaction.
Toxic / harmful if inhaled.
May cause cancer / suspected of causing cancer.
Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child.
Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure.
Toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects.
This compound carries a wide-ranging hazard profile spanning acute toxicity by all three exposure routes, skin sensitisation, suspected carcinogenicity, suspected reproductive toxicity and organ damage on repeated exposure, and is classified under a GHS Danger signal word. Impervious gloves, full eye/face protection and suitable respiratory protection are the baseline for routine handling, and any skin contact should be avoided entirely. 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. The low melting point (around 33 °C) means a container may arrive partially or fully molten in warm climates; warm gently and mix before sampling if a batch has partially recrystallised unevenly. If a batch is held past its retest date, re-check assay 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 Ortho Nitrochlorobenzene leaves with a documented, checkable paper trail.
Certificate of Analysis
Batch-wise assay (by GC), melting point range, isomer content and colour, 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 Nitrochlorobenzene used for?+
02What is the CAS number of Ortho Nitrochlorobenzene?+
03How is Ortho Nitrochlorobenzene made?+
04What purity grades does Chelora Chemicals supply?+
05Is Ortho Nitrochlorobenzene hazardous?+
06Why is the chlorine on this molecule more reactive than on plain chlorobenzene?+
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 Ortho Nitrochlorobenzene on spec, on time?
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