| Nitrobenzene | |
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Other names
Nitrobenzol |
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| Identifiers | |
| CAS number | 98-95-3 |
| PubChem | 7416 |
| ChemSpider | 7138 |
| UNII | E57JCN6SSY |
| KEGG | C06813 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:27798 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL15750 |
| RTECS number | QJ0525000 |
| Jmol-3D images | Image 1 |
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| Properties | |
| Molecular formula | 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 |
| Solubility in water | 0.19 g/100 ml at 20 °C |
| Hazards | |
| EU classification | Toxic (T) Carc. Cat. 3 Repr. Cat. 3 Dangerous for the environment (N) Flammable(F) |
| R-phrases | R10, R23/24/25, R40, R48/23/24, R51/53, R62 |
| S-phrases | (S1/2), S28, S36/37, S45, S61 |
| NFPA 704 |
3
2
1
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| Flash point | 88 °C |
| Autoignition temperature |
525 °C |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds | Aniline Benzenediazonium chloride Nitrosobenzene |
| (verify) (what is: /?) Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) |
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| Infobox references | |
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.
Contents |
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]
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:
Approximately 95% of nitrobenzene is consumed in the production of aniline,[1] which is a precursor to rubber chemicals, pesticides, dyes, explosives, and pharmaceuticals.
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.
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.
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,[6] and is classified by the IARC as a Group 2B carcinogen which is "possibly carcinogenic to humans".[7] It has been shown to cause liver, kidney, and thyroid adenomas and carcinomas in rats.[8]