General Description
Light yellow oily liquid with a characteristic odor of aromatic nitro compounds. Sinks in water. Derived from toluene by nitration and separation by fractional distillation. Flash point 223°F.
Reactivity Profile
O-NITROTOLUENE(88-72-2) is toxic by inhalation, ingestion and skin aborption, targeting the blood, central nervous system, skin, and gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms include, anoxia, weakness or dizziness, nausea and vomiting. If O-NITROTOLUENE(88-72-2) contacts the eye, the eye should be irrigated immediately. If O-NITROTOLUENE(88-72-2) contacts the skin, the area should be washed with soap. If inhaled, respiratory support should be administered. Finally, if ingested, medical attention should be sought. O-NITROTOLUENE(88-72-2) also reacts with sulfuric acid, sodium hydroxide, hydrogen, sodium, tetranitromethane, reducing agents and strong oxidizers. O-NITROTOLUENE(88-72-2) is very heat sensitive.
Air & Water Reactions
Insoluble in water.
Hazard
Toxic by inhalation, ingestion, skin absorption. Methemoglobinemia. Probable carcinogen.
Health Hazard
INHALATION, INGESTION, OR SKIN: Headache, flushing of face, dizziness, dyspnea (difficult breathing), cyanosis, nausea, vomiting, muscular weakness, increased pulse and respiratory rate, irritability, and convulsions. SKIN: Irritation.
Potential Exposure
The nitrotoluenes are used in the
production of toluidines and other dye intermediates.
All isomers are used in manufacture of agriculture and
rubber chemicals and in various dyes.
First aid
If this chemical gets into the eyes, remove any
contact lenses at once and irrigate immediately for at least
15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek
medical attention immediately. If this chemical contacts the
skin, remove contaminated clothing and wash immediately
with soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately.
If this chemical has been inhaled, remove from exposure,
begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions, including
resuscitation mask) if breathing has stopped and CPR if
heart action has stopped. Transfer promptly to a medical
facility. When this chemical has been swallowed, get medical
attention. Give large quantities of water and induce
vomiting. Do not make an unconscious person vomit.
Shipping
UN1664 Nitrotoluenes, (o-; m-; p-), Hazard
Class: 6.1; Labels: 6.1-Poisonous materials.
Incompatibilities
Decomposes on contact with strong oxidizers;
strong acids; reducing agents; strong bases; ammonia,
amines producing toxic fumes, causing fire and explosion
hazard. Heat above 190C may cause explosive decomposition.
Attacks some plastics, rubbers, and coatings.
Waste Disposal
Controlled incineration-care
must be taken to maintain complete combustion at all
times. Incineration of large quantities may require scrubbers
to control the emission of nitrogen oxides.
Physical properties
Clear, colorless to pale yellowish combustible liquid with a faint, aromatic odor. May darken on
exposure to air.
Uses
2-Nitrotoluene is used as an intermediate for the o-toludine synthesis, which finds application in the dyestuff industry. It is employed as a reagent in detecting and photometric determining oxidizing agent. It is also used in the determination of prussic acid content in the air. It acts as a precursor to prepare 2-amino-4-chlorotoluene, 2-amino-6-chlorotoluene, nitrotoluenesulfonic acids and toluene nitrosulfonic chlorides. It acts as a nitrogen supplement in the culture medium of pseudomonas sp. strain ClS1. It acts as a carbon and energy supplement in the culture medium of Pseudomonas sp. strain JS42.
Uses
2-Nitrotoluene may be employed as nitrogen supplement in the culture medium of Pseudomonas sp. strain ClS1. It may be employed as carbon and energy supplement in the culture medium of Pseudomonas sp. strain JS42
Uses
used in the synthesis of
dyestuffs, explosives, and agricultural chemicals
Definition
ChEBI: A mononitrotoluene that is toluene carrying a nitro substituent at position 2.
Preparation
2-Nitrotoluene was synthesized by nitration of toluene with mixed acid, A mixture of mononitrotoluene isomers can be prepared from the nitration of toluene between -10 oC and 30 oC. Lower temperatures result in little or no reaction, while higher temperatures will result in double nitration forming dinitrotoluenes.
Carcinogenicity
o-Nitrotoluene is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity from studies in experimental animals and supporting data on mechanisms of carcinogenesis.
Environmental Fate
Biological. Robertson et al. (1992) reported that toluene dioxygenases from Pseudomonas
putida F1 and Pseudomonas sp. Strain JS 150 oxidized the methyl group forming 2-nitrobenzyl
alcohol.
Purification Methods
Crystallise 2-nitrotoluene (repeatedly) from absolute EtOH by cooling in a Dry-ice/alcohol mixture. Further purify it by passing an alcoholic solution through a column of alumina. [Beilstein 5 IV 845.]
