General Description
Pale yellow crystals. Insoluble in water. Is thermally unstable.
Reactivity Profile
A halogenated aromatic nitro compound. Aromatic nitro compounds range from slight to strong oxidizing agents. If mixed with reducing agents, including hydrides, sulfides and nitrides, they may begin a vigorous reaction that culminates in a detonation. The aromatic nitro compounds may explode in the presence of a base such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide even in the presence of water or organic solvents. The explosive tendencies of aromatic nitro compounds are increased by the presence of multiple nitro groups.
Air & Water Reactions
Insoluble in water.
Health Hazard
ACUTE/CHRONIC HAZARDS: Toxic. Lachrymator. Causes irritation on contact. Hazardous decomposition products. Mutagen.
Fire Hazard
This compound is combustible.
Chemical Properties
liquid
Uses
2-Nitrobenzyl chloride was used in the synthesis of S-(2-nitrobenzyl)cysteine which was inserted into human erythropoietin. 2-Nitrobenzyl chloride was used to prepare 4,4′-dinitrostillbene.
Uses
2-Nitrobenzyl chloride has been used to introduce the photo labile 2-nitrobenzyl protecting group for the phenolic OH group of tyrosine. It is used as a pharmaceutical intermediate.
Biochem/physiol Actions
2-Nitrobenzyl chloride reacts with N-methyldiethanolamine and further reaction of the resulting quaternary diol with thionyl chloride at room temperature yields nitrobenzyl mustard quaternary salts.
