Ortho Nitrotoluene
A nitroaromatic intermediate supplied by Chelora Chemicals — one of the two major isomers from toluene nitration, and the principal route to o-toluidine for dye manufacture — exported from Indonesia with full batch documentation on every shipment.
What Ortho Nitrotoluene is, and why buyers source it
A working overview of the compound's chemistry, how it arises alongside the para isomer from toluene nitration, and the grades Chelora Chemicals keeps in regular supply.
Ortho Nitrotoluene (2-nitrotoluene) is a benzene ring carrying a methyl group and a nitro group in the 1,2 (ortho) relationship. It is one of the two major isomers formed when toluene is nitrated: the methyl group is an ortho/para-directing, activating substituent, and nitration of toluene characteristically gives a mixture dominated by the ortho and para isomers in roughly a 2:1 ratio, with only a small amount of the meta isomer forming alongside them.
At room temperature it is a pale yellow liquid, since its melting point sits well below typical ambient conditions. It is only slightly soluble in water but miscible with most organic solvents, and like other nitroaromatics is handled as a toxic material under full MSDS guidance rather than a benign commodity liquid.
Where it fits in the synthesis chain
The single largest downstream use of this material is catalytic reduction of the nitro group to give o-toluidine, an important intermediate across the dye and pigment industry. o-Toluidine is further converted, through diazotization and coupling or through acylation, into a wide range of azo dyes and dye intermediates.
Grades we supply
Chelora Chemicals offers Ortho Nitrotoluene in technical grade (≈98% assay) for standard industrial synthesis, and high-purity grade (99%+) for applications sensitive to isomeric (para) carryover. Both grades are supplied with a batch-wise certificate of analysis.
How Ortho Nitrotoluene 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 Nitrotoluene is manufactured by the direct nitration of toluene with a mixed nitric/sulfuric acid system, run under controlled temperature (nitration above around –10°C, per the standard process). Because the methyl group is an ortho/para director, the reaction gives a mixture typically reported as roughly 2:1 in favour of the combined ortho and para isomers over the meta isomer, with the ortho and para isomers themselves present in comparable proportions.
The two major isomers are separated by fractional distillation after the crude nitration mixture is washed free of residual acid, exploiting their differing boiling points. 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 come from the same nitration step in comparable quantity, the quality of the downstream distillation is what determines whether a batch sold as “ortho nitrotoluene” is isomerically clean enough for sensitive o-toluidine/dye-intermediate synthesis, or only suitable for less isomer-sensitive uses.
Industries and processes that use it
Ortho Nitrotoluene is consumed mainly as the feedstock for o-toluidine and the dye chemistry built on it. The fields below account for most of the demand we see through our export desk.
o-Toluidine & Azo Dye Intermediate Chain
Catalytic reduction of the nitro group gives o-toluidine, an important intermediate for a wide range of azo dyes and dye intermediates.
Pharmaceutical Intermediate Chemistry
o-Toluidine derived from this material is also used in certain pharmaceutical-intermediate synthesis routes.
Rubber Chemical Intermediates
A precursor, via further derivatisation of its reduction products, to several rubber-chemical and antioxidant intermediates.
Fine-Chemical & Specialty Synthesis
Used more broadly as a well-characterised nitrotoluene building block for fine-chemical synthesis.
How the molecule is typically carried forward
The nitro group is the principal reduction handle, giving access to o-toluidine chemistry. Reaction classes below account for most of the ways Ortho Nitrotoluene is converted into a finished intermediate.
Reduction to o-Toluidine
Catalytic hydrogenation converts the nitro group to a primary amine, giving o-toluidine — the single largest downstream use of this material.
Diazotization of o-Toluidine
Once reduced, o-toluidine diazotizes under standard cold, acidic conditions for azo-coupling chemistry in dye manufacture.
Acylation of o-Toluidine
o-Toluidine can be acylated at the amine nitrogen to give amide derivatives used in further dye and specialty synthesis.
Oxidation of the Methyl Group
Under suitable oxidising conditions, the methyl group can be oxidised to a carboxylic acid, giving 2-nitrobenzoic acid as an alternative downstream product.
Ortho Nitrotoluene against other nitrotoluene isomers we supply
Buyers sourcing ortho nitrotoluene often need the meta or para isomer for a different downstream chemistry. A quick reference to what else is on our regular supply list.
| Product | CAS Number | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ortho Nitrotoluene | 88-72-2 | Mono-methyl mono-nitro aromatic | The product on this page — a major isomer from toluene nitration. |
| Meta Nitrotoluene | 99-08-1 | Mono-methyl mono-nitro aromatic | The minor isomer from the same nitration — see its product page. |
| Para Nitrotoluene | 99-99-0 | Mono-methyl mono-nitro aromatic | The other major isomer from the same nitration — see its product page. |
| Para Nitrotoluene Ortho Sulphonic Acid | 121-03-9 | Sulfonated nitrotoluene | The sulfonated downstream derivative of the para isomer — 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 Nitrotoluene.
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.
May cause genetic defects.
May cause cancer.
Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child.
Toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects.
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.
Danger — GHS08 health hazard pictogram applies.
This compound is harmful if swallowed and is suspected of causing genetic defects, cancer and reproductive harm; it must be handled with impervious gloves, full eye/face protection and suitable respiratory protection at all times, avoiding any skin contact. 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. If a batch is held past its retest date, re-check assay, colour 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 Nitrotoluene leaves with a documented, checkable paper trail.
Certificate of Analysis
Batch-wise assay (by GC), 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 Nitrotoluene used for?+
02What is the CAS number of Ortho Nitrotoluene?+
03How is Ortho Nitrotoluene made?+
04What purity grades does Chelora Chemicals supply?+
05Is Ortho Nitrotoluene hazardous?+
06How is this different from Meta and Para Nitrotoluene?+
07What packing options are available?+
08How long does delivery take?+
09Can I get a sample before placing a bulk order?+
10Do you supply other nitrotoluene isomers?+
Need Ortho Nitrotoluene on spec, on time?
Send us your required purity, quantity, packing preference and destination port. Our desk quotes most enquiries within one working day.