4-Nitrophenol

Description

4-Nitrophenol (also called p-nitrophenol or 4-hydroxynitrobenzene) is a phenolic compound that has a nitro group at the opposite position of hydroxyl group on the benzene ring. 4-Nitrophenol shows two polymorphs in the crystalline state. The alpha form is colorless pillars, unstable at room temperature, and stable toward sunlight. The beta form is yellow pillars, stable at room temperature, and gradually turns red upon irradiation of sunlight. Usually 4-nitrophenol exists as a mixture of these two forms. Generally, 4-nitrophenol is used in manufacturing of drugs (e.g., acetaminophen), fungicides, methyl and ethyl parathion insecticides, and dyes, and to darken leather.

Chemical properties

Yellow to tan crystals or powder (mixed α- and β-forms), The (metastable) α-form crystallizes from toluene above 63°C, and the yellow, prismatic β-form crystallizes from toluene below 63°C. 4-Nitrophenol is not steam volatile and is much more soluble in water (30 % at 100°C) than the ortho isomer.

The Uses of 4-Nitrophenol

4-Nitrophenol is used in dyestuff and pesticide synthesis, as a fungicide, bactericide, and wood preservative, as a chemical indicator, and as a substrate for experiments on cytochrome P450 2E1.

What are the applications of Application

4-Nitrophenol is a buildng block used as an indicator in 0.1% alcohol solutions

Definition

ChEBI: 4-nitrophenol is a member of the class of 4-nitrophenols that is phenol in which the hydrogen that is para to the hydroxy group has been replaced by a nitro group. It has a role as a human xenobiotic metabolite and a mouse metabolite. It is a conjugate acid of a 4-nitrophenolate.

Preparation

4-Nitrophenol was synthesized from p-nitrochlorobenzene by hydrolysis and acidification. Add 2320-2370L of sodium hydroxide solution with a concentration of 137-140g/L to the hydrolysis pot, and then add 600kg of molten p-nitrochlorobenzene. Heat to 152℃, pressure in the pot is 0.4MPa, then stop heating, the hydrolysis reaction exotherm makes the temperature and pressure rise naturally to 165℃, about 0.6MPa. keep 3h and take sample to check the end point of the reaction, after the reaction is finished, the hydrolysate is cooled to 120℃. Add 600L water and 50L concentrated sulfuric acid to the crystallization pot, press into the above hydrolysis and cool to about 50℃, add concentrated sulfuric acid to make the Congo red test paper purple, continue to cool to 30℃, filter, centrifuge to shake off the water, get more than 90% of 4-nitrophenol about 500kg, 92% yield.

What are the applications of Application

4-Nitrophenol (4-NP) is used to manufacture pharmaceuticals, fungicides, insecticides, and dyes and to darken leather. Indicator in 0.1% alcohol solution. pH: 5.6 colorless, 7.6 yellow. It can be used to prepare 4-aminophenol (4-AP), a key intermediate for the manufacture of analgesic and antipyretic drugs.

Synthesis Reference(s)

Tetrahedron Letters, 27, p. 1607, 1986 DOI: 10.1016/S0040-4039(00)84326-9

General Description

4-nitrophenol appears as a white to light yellow crystalline solid. Contact may severely irritate skin and eyes. Poisonous by ingestion and moderately toxic by skin contact.

Air & Water Reactions

Soluble in hot water and more dense than water.

Reactivity Profile

4-Nitrophenol is a slightly yellow, crystalline material, moderately toxic. Mixtures with diethyl phosphite may explode when heated. Decomposes exothermally, emits toxic fumes of oxides of nitrogen [Lewis, 3rd ed., 1993, p. 941]. Decomposes violently at 279°C and will burn even in absence of air [USCG, 1999]. Solid mixtures of the nitrophenol and potassium hydroxide (1:1.5 mol) readily deflagrate [Bretherick, 5th Ed., 1995].

Hazard

Toxic by ingestion.

Health Hazard

Acute inhalation or ingestion of 4-nitrophenol in humans causes headaches, drowsiness, nausea, and cyanosis. Contact with the eyes causes irritation.
A study examining the acute effects of 4-nitrophenol from inhalation exposure in rats reported an increase in methemoglobin and corneal opacity.
Tests involving acute exposure of rats and mice have shown 4-nitrophenol to have high toxicity from oral and dermal exposure.

Flammability and Explosibility

Non flammable

Safety Profile

4-Nitrophenol is used to manufacture drugs, fungicides, insecticides, and dyes and to darken leather. Acute (short-term) inhalation or ingestion of 4-nitrophenol in humans causes headaches, drowsiness, nausea, and cyanosis (blue color in lips, ears, and fingernails). Contact with eyes causes irritation in humans. No information is available on the chronic (long-term) effects of 4-nitrophenol in humans or animals from inhalation or oral exposure. No information is available on the reproductive, developmental, or carcinogenic effects of 4-nitrophenol in humans. EPA has not classified 4-nitrophenol for potential carcinogenicity.

Synthesis

4-Nitrophenol is synthesized by Nitration of para-Toluenesulfonic ester of Phenol, followed by hydrolysis is obtained a fairly pure material.

Metabolic pathway

4-[U-14C]Nitrophenol is conjugated as its b-glucoside (ca 22% of applied 14C) and gentiobioside, glc- b(126)-glc-b-4-nitrophenol (ca 64%), while about 7% of the parent remains unchanged in cell suspension cultures of Datura stramonium (L.). Gal-b-4-nitrophenol is found to be a minor metabolite.

Purification Methods

Crystallise 4-nitrophenol from water (which may be acidified, e.g. with N H2SO4 or 0.5N HCl), EtOH, aqueous MeOH, CHCl3, *benzene or pet ether, then dry it in vacuo over P2O5 at 25o. It can be sublimed at 60o/10-4mm. The 4-nitrobenzoate had m 159o (from EtOH). [Beilstein 6 IV 1279.]

Toxicity evaluation

The major hazards has been encountered in the use and handling of 4-nitrophenolstem from its toxicologic properties. 4-Nitrophenol irritates the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. It may also cause inflammation of those parts. It has a delayed interaction with blood and forms methemoglobin which is responsible for methemoglobinemia, potentially causing cyanosis, confusion, and unconsciousness. When ingested, it causes abdominal pain and vomiting. Prolonged contact with skin may cause allergic response.