Nitrobenzol

structural formula of Nitrobenzol

Nitrobenzol, also known as oil of mirbane, is a poisonous organic compound, C₆H₅NO₂, either bright yellow crystals or an oily insoluble liquid. It has an almond odor. It is used as a solvent and as a mild oxidizing agent. It is most frequently used specifically in the manufacture of aniline, but also used in the manufacture of insulating compounds and polishes.

Table of contents

1 Characteristic/Property
2 Uses
3 Production
4 External links

Characteristic/Property

Characteristic/Property         Data                             	Reference
CAS No.                         98-95-3
Common Synonyms                 nitrobenzol; oil of mirbane      	U.S. EPA 1994
Molecular Formula               C6H5NO2
Physical State                  liquid                           	U.S. EPA 1985
Molecular Weight                123.06                           	U.S. EPA 1985
Melting Point                   5.85�C @ 760 Torr                	U.S. EPA 1985
Boiling Point                   210.9�C @ 1 atm                  	U.S. EPA 1985
Water Solubility                1.9 g/L @ 20�C; 2.1 g/L @ 25�C   	U.S. EPA 1985
Specific Gravity                1.199 @ 24/4�C                   	U.S. EPA 1985
Vapor Density (air = 1)         4.1                              	U.S. EPA 1985
KOC                             36-650 (estimated)               	U.S. EPA 1987
Log KOW                         1.85                             	U.S. EPA 1987
Vapor Pressure                  0.15 mm Hg @ 20�C; 0.27 mm Hg @ 25�C  	U.S. EPA 1987
Reactivity                      flammable
Flash Point                     88�C (closed cup)                	Budavari  1989
Henry's Law Constant            2.3 x 10-5 atm-m3/mole @ 25�C    	U.S. EPA 1985
Fish Bioconcentration Factor    <10-15 (measured in
                   		 the golden orfe)                   	U.S. EPA 1985
Odor Threshold                  perception, 0.0182 mg/m3 (3.6 ppb)    	Verschueren 1983
                                threshold, 1.9 ppm               	U.S. EPA 1985
Conversion Factors (in air)     1 ppm = 5.12 mg/m3;
				 1 mg/m3 = 0.20 ppm              	Verschueren 1983

Uses

While nitrobenzene is primarily used in the production of aniline and aniline derivatives, such as methyl diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), it also finds use in the manufacture of rubber chemicals, pesticides, dyes, and pharmaceuticals. Nitrobenzene is also used in shoe and floor polishes, leather dressings, paint solvents, and other materials to mask unpleasant odors. Substitution reactions with nitrobenzene are used to form m-derivatives (Mannsville 1991; Sittig 1991). 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 acetaminophen (Mannsville 1991).

Production

There were four producers of nitrobenzene in the United States in 1991: First Chemicals Corp, Mobay, DuPont Chemicals, and Rubicon, Inc. In 1991, the estimated total production capacity of nitrobenzene in the U.S. was 1,360 million pounds (Mannsville 1991).