Mononitrotoluene
Mononitrotoluene, or methylnitrobenzene or nitrotoluene, is a group of three organic compounds, a nitro derivative of toluene. Its chemical formula is C6H4.
Mononitrotoluene comes in three isomers, differing by the relative position of the methyl and nitro groups. All are pale yellow with faint fragrances:
- ortho-nitrotoluene, o-nitrotoluene, or 2-nitrotoluene. m.p. = -9 °C
- meta-nitrotoluene, m-nitrotoluene, or 3-nitrotoluene. m.p. = 16 °C
- para-nitrotoluene, p-nitrotoluene, or 4-nitrotoluene. m.p. = 44.5 °C
Typical use of nitrotoluene is in production of pigments, antioxidants, agricultural chemicals, and photographic chemicals.
Ortho-mononitrotoluene and para-mononitrotoluene can be also used as detection taggants for explosive detection.
