Chemical Information for Nitrobenzene

Applications

Primary applications of nitrobenzene are as follows:

• for production of aniline and aniline derivatives, such as methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI),
• manufacturing of rubber chemicals, pesticides, dyes, and pharmaceuticals. 
• as blending material for production of shoe and floor polishes, leather dressings, paint solvents, and other materials to mask unpleasant odors. 
• due to its good odor, distilled nitrobenzene is also used as an inexpensive perfume for soaps. This usage is now banned due to its toxicity
• pharmaceutical ingredient for analgesic paracetamol 

Chemical Information and Process Technology

What is Nitrobenzene?

The most distinct property of nitrobenzene is its almond odor, bearing chemical formula of C6 H5 NO2. It may be found as either bright yellow crystals or an oily water-insoluble liquid. It is also commonly known as nitrobenzol, very poisonous as with other aromatic compounds.

The chemical compound melts at 5.85°C, with boiling point of 210.9°C. It is very soluble in ethanol, ether, and benzene with low solubility in water.

Process Synthesis

The systhesis of nitrobenzene is done by treating benzene with a mixture of nitric and sulfuric acids. The mixture undergoes a nitration reaction where one hydrogen molecule in the benzene molecule is replaced with a nitro group, NO ₂ .