Mononitrotoluene

Mononitrotoluene, or methylnitrobenzene or nitrotoluene (MNT or NT), is a group of three organic compounds, a nitro derivative of toluene (or alternatively a methyl derivative of nitrobenzene). Its chemical formula is C₆H₄(CH₃)(NO₂).

Mononitrotoluene comes in three isomers, differing by the relative position of the methyl and nitro groups:

Typical use of nitrotoluene is in production of pigments, antioxidants, agricultural chemicals, and photographic chemicals.

3-Nitrotoluene

3-Nitrotoluene or meta-nitrotoluene is a green-yellow liquid. It is used in the manufacture of meta-toluidine.

References

External links

4-Nitrotoluene

4-Nitrotoluene or para-nitrotoluene is an organic compound with the formula CH₃C₆H₄NO₂. It is a pale yellow solid. This compound is mainly used to prepare dyes.

Synthesis and reactions

Together with other isomers, 4-nitrotoluene is prepared by nitration of toluene. It undergoes the expected reactions, e.g. hydrogenation gives p-toluidine.

Applications

The principle application involves its sulfonation to give the 4-nitrotoluene-2-sulfonic acid (SO3H group adjacent to methyl). This species is produced on a large scale since it can be coupled to make stilbene derivatives which are used as dyes. Representative derivatives include 4,4'-dinitroso- and the 4,4'-dinitro-2,2'-stilbenedisulfonic acids.

Safety

There is some evidence for toxicity and carcinogenecity in mice.

References

External links