o-Anisidine

Description

o-Anisidine was produced commercially in the United States from the 1920s until late 1950s. By 2009, worldwide only six industries manufactured o-anisidine, but none produced hydrochloride salt. o-Anisidine was available from 44 suppliers, including 20 US suppliers, and the hydrochloride salt was available from eight suppliers, including five US suppliers. US imports of o-anisidine and its hydrochloride salt are reported in the category ‘o-anisidines, p-anisidines, and p-phenetidine,’ and US exports are reported in the category ‘anisidines, dianisidines, phenetidines, and their salts.’ From 1989 to 2008, imports ranged from a high of over 4.6 million kg in 1996 to zero in 2007 and 2008, and exports ranged from zero to 262 000 kg. Reports filed under the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Toxic Substances Control Act Inventory Up Rule indicated that United States production plus imports of o-anisidine totaled 500 000 lb–1 million lb in 1986, 1990, and 2006; 1 million–10 million lb in 1990 and 1998; and 10 000–500 000 lb in 2002.

The Uses of o-Anisidine

Similar to other aromatic amines, o-anisidine may cause methemglobinemia and cancer in humans. It is used mainly as an intermediate for the production of azo dyes and pigments. Other industrial uses of o-anisidine include synthesis of other dyes and pharmaceuticals, as a corrosion inhibitor for steel, and as an antioxidant for polymercaptan resins (IARC, 1999; HSDB, 2012).
Intermediate for azo dyes and for guaiacol.