Nitrobenzene
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| Other names
Nitrobenzol
Oil of mirbane | |||
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3D model (JSmol)
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| ECHA InfoCard | 100.002.469 | ||
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PubChem CID
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CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
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| Properties | |||
| C6H5NO2 | |||
| Molar mass | 123.06 g/mol | ||
| Appearance | yellowish liquid | ||
| Density | 1.199 g/cm3 | ||
| Melting point | 5.7 °C | ||
| Boiling point | 210.9 °C | ||
| 0.19 g/100 ml at 20 °C | |||
| Hazards | |||
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | |||
| Flash point | 88 °C | ||
| Related compounds | |||
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Nitrobenzene is an organic compound with the chemical formula C6H5NO2. It is a water-insoluble pale yellow oil with an almond-like odor. It freezes to give greenish-yellow crystals. It is produced on a large scale as a precursor to aniline. Although occasionally used as a flavoring or perfume additive, nitrobenzene is highly toxic in large quantities. In the laboratory, it is occasionally used as a solvent, especially for electrophilic reagents.
Production
Nitrobenzene is prepared by nitration of benzene with a mixture of concentrated sulfuric acid, water, and nitric acid. This mixture is sometimes called "mixed acid." The production of nitrobenzene is one of the more dangerous processes conducted in the chemical industry because of the exothermicity of the reaction (ΔH = −117 kJ/mol).[1]
World capacity for nitrobenzene in 1985 was about 1.7×106 tonnes.[1]
Mechanism of nitration
The reaction pathway entails formation of an adduct between the Lewis acidic nitronium ion (NO2+) and benzene. The nitronium ion is generated in situ by the reaction of nitric acid and an acidic dehydration agent, typically sulfuric acid:
- HNO3 + H+ ⇌ NO2+ + H2O
Uses
Approximately 95% of nitrobenzene is consumed in the production of aniline,[1] which is a precursor to rubber chemicals, pesticides, dyes, explosives, and pharmaceuticals.
Specialized applications
Nitrobenzene is also used in shoe and floor polishes, leather dressings, paint solvents, and other materials to mask unpleasant odors. Redistilled, as oil of mirbane, nitrobenzene has been used as an inexpensive perfume for soaps. A significant merchant market for nitrobenzene is its use in the production of the analgesic paracetamol (also known as acetaminophen) (Mannsville 1991).[2] Nitrobenzene is also used in Kerr cells, as it has an unusually large Kerr constant.
Organic reactions
Aside from its conversion to aniline, nitrobenzene is readily converted to related derivatives such as azobenzene,[3] nitrosobenzene,[4] and phenylhydroxylamine.[5] The nitro- group is deactivating, thus substitution tends to occur at the meta-position.
Market
The overall nitrobenzene market standing, its trends and development are largely impacted by the demand for aniline and aniline derivatives and benzene availability, which is the source material for nitrobenzene.
The major regional driver of nitrobenzene industry is the Asia-Pacific countries. The Chinese demand and production is projected to retain the high annual growth levels in the foreseeable future.[6]
Safety
Nitrobenzene is highly toxic (Threshold Limit Value 5 mg/m3) and readily absorbed through the skin.
Prolonged exposure may cause serious damage to the central nervous system, impair vision, cause liver or kidney damage, anemia and lung irritation. Inhalation of fumes may induce headache, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, cyanosis, weakness in the arms and legs, and in rare cases may be fatal. The oil is readily absorbed through the skin and may increase heart rate, cause convulsions or rarely death. Ingestion may similarly cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and gastrointestinal irritation, loss of limbs and also causes internal bleeding.
Nitrobenzene is considered a likely human carcinogen by the United States Environmental Protection Agency,[7] and is classified by the IARC as a Group 2B carcinogen which is "possibly carcinogenic to humans".[8] It has been shown to cause liver, kidney, and thyroid adenomas and carcinomas in rats.[9]
References
- ^ a b c Gerald Booth (2007). "Nitro Compounds, Aromatic". In: Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. John Wiley & Sons: New York. doi:10.1002/14356007.a17_411
- ^ Bhattacharya A.; Purohit V. C.; Suarez, V.; Tichkule, R; Parmer, G.; Rinaldi, F. (2006). "One-step reductive amidation of nitro arenes: application in the synthesis of Acetaminophen". Tetrahedron Letters. 47 (11): 1861–1864. doi:10.1016/j.tetlet.2005.09.196.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Bigelow, H. E.; Robinson, D. B. (1955). "Azobenzene". Organic Syntheses
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link); Collected Volumes, vol. 3, p. 103. - ^ G. H. Coleman, C. M. McCloskey, F. A. Stuart. "Nitrosobenzene". Organic Syntheses
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link); Collected Volumes, vol. 3, p. 668. - ^ O. Kamm. "β-Phenylhydroxylamine". Organic Syntheses; Collected Volumes, vol. 1, p. 445.
- ^ "Nitrobenzene Production Volumes to Be on Increase".
- ^ http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/iris/index.cfm?fuseaction=iris.showQuickView&substance_nmbr=0079
- ^ Agents Classified by the IARC Monographs, International Agency for Research on Cancer
- ^ National Institutes of Health · U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Nomination: Nitrobenzene Review committee, 02/02/2010