3,4-Dichloronitrobenzene
A dichlorinated nitroaromatic intermediate supplied by Chelora Chemicals — the dominant product of 1,2-dichlorobenzene nitration, and the established starting material for third-generation fluoroquinolone antibacterial synthesis — exported from Indonesia with full batch documentation on every shipment.
What 3,4-Dichloronitrobenzene is, and why buyers source it
A working overview of the compound's chemistry, how it dominates 1,2-dichlorobenzene nitration, and its established role feeding fluoroquinolone antibacterial synthesis.
3,4-Dichloronitrobenzene is a benzene ring carrying chlorine atoms at the 1 and 2 positions and a nitro group at position 4, para to one of the chlorines. It is the dominant product formed when 1,2-dichlorobenzene is nitrated, with the minor 2,3-substituted isomer (carried elsewhere in our range) forming alongside it as a secondary co-product.
At room temperature it is a crystalline solid ranging from colourless to yellow-brown depending on purity and residual colour body. It is practically insoluble in water but dissolves in common organic solvents, and like other nitroaromatics is handled as a toxic material under full MSDS guidance rather than a benign commodity solid.
Where it fits in the synthesis chain
This is a well-established pharmaceutical synthesis intermediate: reduction of the nitro group gives 3,4-dichloroaniline, which is further converted through the synthesis chain to 3,4-dichloro-1,2-benzenediamine, a documented starting material for third-generation quinolone antibacterials such as ofloxacin, levofloxacin, lomefloxacin and rufloxacin. It is also a starting material in the synthesis of aclonifen, a diphenyl ether herbicide.
Grades we supply
Chelora Chemicals offers 3,4-Dichloronitrobenzene in technical grade (≈97% assay) for standard industrial synthesis, and high-purity grade (98%+) for pharmaceutical-intermediate applications sensitive to isomeric or colour-body carryover. Both grades are supplied with a batch-wise certificate of analysis.
How 3,4-Dichloronitrobenzene 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.
3,4-Dichloronitrobenzene is manufactured by nitrating 1,2-dichlorobenzene with a mixed nitric/sulfuric acid system under controlled, moderate temperature. The two adjacent chlorines on the starting material direct the incoming nitro group predominantly to the 4-position, giving this isomer as the major product, with the 2,3-substituted isomer forming as a smaller co-product that is separated out during purification.
After nitration, the crude product is separated from the spent acid, washed, and crystallised to the required purity and colour before packing — this crystallisation step is where pharmaceutical-grade material is distinguished from standard technical grade.
Why purity matters for this particular isomer
Because this material feeds a well-defined pharmaceutical synthesis chain through to regulated antibacterial actives, buyers in that chain in particular should confirm the grade's isomeric purity and colour specification against their process's requirements before ordering, since downstream purification capacity for removing trace 2,3-isomer carryover varies by process.
Industries and processes that use it
3,4-Dichloronitrobenzene is consumed mainly as a pharmaceutical synthesis intermediate for fluoroquinolone antibacterials, with further volumes going into herbicide intermediate chemistry. The fields below account for most of the demand we see through our export desk.
Fluoroquinolone Antibacterial Intermediate
Feeds, via 3,4-dichloroaniline and 3,4-dichloro-1,2-benzenediamine, the synthesis of third-generation quinolone antibacterials including ofloxacin, levofloxacin, lomefloxacin and rufloxacin.
Herbicide Intermediate (Aclonifen Route)
A documented starting material in the synthesis of aclonifen, a diphenyl ether herbicide.
Dye & Pigment Intermediate Chemistry
3,4-Dichloroaniline derived from this material is also used in some dye and pigment intermediate synthesis.
Fine-Chemical & Specialty Synthesis
Supplied as a well-characterised dichloronitroaromatic building block for broader fine-chemical synthesis.
How the molecule is typically carried forward
The nitro group is the principal reactive handle for reduction chemistry, with both chlorines generally carried through unchanged into the finished pharmaceutical or agrochemical intermediate. Reaction classes below cover the main ways this material is converted downstream.
Reduction to 3,4-Dichloroaniline
Catalytic hydrogenation or chemical reduction converts the nitro group to a primary amine while leaving both chlorines in place, giving 3,4-dichloroaniline — the key intermediate step toward the fluoroquinolone synthesis chain.
Conversion to 3,4-Dichloro-1,2-benzenediamine
Further functionalisation of 3,4-dichloroaniline, via nitration and reduction at the ring position ortho to the amine, gives the benzenediamine building block used directly in quinolone antibacterial ring-closure chemistry.
Diazotization of 3,4-Dichloroaniline
For dye-intermediate applications, 3,4-dichloroaniline diazotizes under standard cold, acidic conditions for azo-coupling chemistry.
Limited Reactivity at the Chlorines
Neither chlorine is strongly activated for nucleophilic aromatic substitution by the single nitro group in this substitution pattern, so both are generally carried through unchanged in downstream chemistry rather than displaced.
3,4-Dichloronitrobenzene against other isomers and nitroaromatics we supply
Buyers sourcing this isomer sometimes need the 2,3- or 2,5-substituted dichloronitrobenzene instead for a different downstream chemistry. A quick reference to what else is on our regular supply list.
| Product | CAS Number | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3,4-Dichloronitrobenzene | 99-54-7 | Di-chloro mono-nitro aromatic | The product on this page — the dominant product of 1,2-dichlorobenzene nitration. |
| 2,3-Dichloro Nitro Benzene | 3209-22-1 | Di-chloro mono-nitro aromatic | The minor co-product of the same nitration — see its product page. |
| 2,5-Dichloronitrobenzene | 89-61-2 | Di-chloro mono-nitro aromatic | A different substitution pattern from a different starting material — see its product page. |
| 2,3,4-Trichloro Nitro Benzene | 17700-09-3 | Tri-chloro mono-nitro aromatic | A further-chlorinated relative used in the same quinolone synthesis chain — 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 3,4-Dichloronitrobenzene.
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 if swallowed or inhaled; harmful in contact with skin.
May cause an allergic skin reaction.
Classified as hazardous to the aquatic environment; avoid any release to drains or waterways.
Impervious gloves, splash-proof eye protection and suitable respiratory protection are the baseline for routine handling.
Crystalline material can generate dust; local exhaust ventilation is recommended during transfer and weighing.
Store away from heat and ignition sources; avoid conditions that could promote decomposition.
Treat as persistent in the aquatic environment; avoid any release to drains or waterways.
Danger — GHS06 acute toxicity pictogram applies.
This compound is toxic if swallowed or inhaled, harmful in contact with skin, and a skin sensitiser, and it is hazardous to the aquatic environment; impervious gloves, full eye/face protection and suitable respiratory protection are the baseline for routine handling, and any skin contact should be 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. Avoid generating or accumulating dust during handling. 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 3,4-Dichloronitrobenzene leaves with a documented, checkable paper trail.
Certificate of Analysis
Batch-wise assay, 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 3,4-Dichloronitrobenzene used for?+
02What is the CAS number of 3,4-Dichloronitrobenzene?+
03How is 3,4-Dichloronitrobenzene made?+
04What purity grades does Chelora Chemicals supply?+
05Is 3,4-Dichloronitrobenzene hazardous?+
06How is this different from 2,3- and 2,5-Dichloronitrobenzene?+
07What packing options are available?+
08How long does delivery take?+
09Can I get a sample before placing a bulk order?+
10Do you supply other dichloronitrobenzene isomers?+
Need 3,4-Dichloronitrobenzene on spec, on time?
Send us your required purity, quantity, packing preference and destination port. Our desk quotes most enquiries within one working day.