4-Chloro-3-Nitrobenzonitrile stands out as a raw material regularly seen in industries focused on agrichemicals, pharmaceuticals, and dyes. This compound, known by its molecular formula C7H3ClN2O2, holds a specific role where its reactivity comes from the arrangement of functional groups: a chloro group, a nitro group, and a nitrile group attached to a benzene ring. Chemical manufacturers and researchers often reach for this compound when searching for solid starting material that packs significant potential across synthetic routes. With its unique properties, the product stays relevant for those aiming to craft more complex molecules.
4-Chloro-3-Nitrobenzonitrile typically appears as a yellow to pale brown crystalline solid, showing up as flakes or sometimes a fine powder. A dense crystalline structure defines its solid form, while the smell—if handled in open air—gives off a sharply chemical note, as found in many nitrile compounds. This material, with a melting point commonly landing in the range of 100–110 °C, keeps a density approximately in the ballpark of 1.47 g/cm3. The pure form resists dissolving in water, responding better to organic solvents like acetone or ethyl acetate, underscoring the need for careful solvent choice during chemical work. Pure, uncontaminated samples refrain from clumping, which supports accurate weighing for lab procedures or batch production.
Digging into the structure, the benzene ring takes on substitutions at the 3 and 4 positions— a nitro group at the third carbon and chlorine at the fourth, with the nitrile holding steady at the first. This placement of functional groups doesn’t just guide its reactivity in lab settings, it influences its behavior in technical applications. This compact structure, often drawn to highlight the electron-withdrawing groups, stays robust in many reaction settings but responds significantly under reducing or nucleophilic conditions.
Industry partners working with 4-Chloro-3-Nitrobenzonitrile check for high purity—usually looking for specifications above 98%. Color, melting point, and moisture content matter during the quality check before storage or shipment. The HS Code for this compound, often listed as 2926909090 in global trade documents, puts it in the category of organic nitrile derivatives. Tracking the product through shipping channels requires this code, which helps manufacturers, importers, and customs officers stay on the same page, cutting down on confusion about proper handling and taxation.
The solid state of 4-Chloro-3-Nitrobenzonitrile dominates supply chains. Most regular shipments arrive as flakes or fine powder sealed inside high-barrier drums or moisture-proof bags designed for dry, stable storage. Pearls or beaded granules are rare but can pop up in specialized requests for slow-release mixtures. The compound avoids liquid forms, and no common solution is sold. People working in labs prefer crystalline powder for accurate measurement and consistent reaction results. The stability in storage allows long shelf lives, which helps chemists and warehouse managers maintain stock without losses due to degradation or moisture pickup.
With a density hovering near 1.47 g/cm3, the material feels substantial in hand, neither too light to spill during weighing nor too heavy to complicate mixing in reaction vessels. The specific gravity lines up closely with density measurements—useful data for chemical engineers scaling up from bench to plant. Since good flow and predictable packing density matter when loading reactors, raw material handlers value the free-flowing nature of this compound when perfectly dried and sieved.
Handling 4-Chloro-3-Nitrobenzonitrile requires a deliberate respect for its harmful profile. Inhalation and skin contact must be minimized, as the compound can irritate the respiratory tract, skin, or eyes. Those used to chemical work rely on gloves, goggles, and good ventilation—basic steps in any training manual. The nitro and chloro groups push this material into a hazardous category for both health and environmental reasons. Proper storage means tucking it away from strong bases, acids, and reducing agents—anyone running a chemical storeroom will recognize the rationale in keeping reactive chemicals spaced well apart. Waste needs disposal as hazardous material; it doesn’t belong down the drain or in ordinary trash bins, so engaged suppliers set up procedures for collection and certified destruction, aiming to cut down on accidental releases into waterways or landfill spaces.
Chemists and process engineers often reach for this molecule while putting together specialty chemicals, especially in building blocks for pharmaceutical intermediates and agricultural products. It slides readily into nucleophilic substitution or reduction reactions, helping build more complex ring systems or opening up routes to amines and anilines through catalytic processes. This blend of reactivity, solid form, and reliable delivery keeps 4-Chloro-3-Nitrobenzonitrile in demand among those trying to streamline synthetic routes and save a step in multi-stage projects.
Industrial adoption of 4-Chloro-3-Nitrobenzonitrile relies not just on efficient delivery and purity but also on a commitment to safe and responsible handling. Suppliers could improve outcomes by using eco-friendlier packaging and step up support for safe waste management. Technical teams might benefit from more detailed documentation, training in emergency procedures, and transparent reporting about any known environmental impacts. The balance rests on using a valuable chemical wisely, with care from those making purchasing decisions right down to the operators on the factory floor. As global regulations shift, particularly on hazardous chemicals, staying current on best practices and compliance documents can head off problems before they start.
