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2-Nitropropane

2-Nitropropane (2-NP) is an organic compound with the formula (CH3)2CH(NO2). It is used as a solvent. It is a colorless liquid and is classified as a nitro compound.

Last revised
Jun 3, 2026
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Citations
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Source
Wikipedia ↗
2-Nitropropane
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Names
Preferred IUPAC name
2-Nitropropane
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
Abbreviations 2-NP
INP
i-PrNO2
iPrNO2
iPrNO2
ChEBI
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.001.100
EC Number
  • 201-209-1
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C3H7NO2/c1-3(2)4(5)6/h3H,1-2H3
    Key: FGLBSLMDCBOPQK-UHFFFAOYSA-N
  • InChI=1/C3H7NO2/c1-3(2)4(5)6/h3H,1-2H3
    Key: FGLBSLMDCBOPQK-UHFFFAOYAM
  • CC(C)[N+](=O)[O-]
Properties
C3H7NO2
Molar mass 89.094 g·mol−1
Appearance Colorless liquid1
Odor Pleasant, fruity2
Density 0.9821 g/cm3
Melting point −91.3 °C (−132.3 °F; 181.8 K)
Boiling point 120.2 °C (248.4 °F; 393.3 K)
17 g/L1
Solubility soluble in chloroform
log P 0.93
Vapor pressure 13 mmHg (20°C)2
Acidity (pKa) 16.9 (in DMSO)
−45.73·10−6 cm3/mol
1.3944 (20 °C)
Viscosity 0.721 cP
Hazards
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards
 Health hazard
GHS labelling:
GHS02: Flammable GHS07: Exclamation mark GHS08: Health hazard
H226, H302, H332, H350
P203, P210, P233, P240, P241, P242, P243, P261, P264, P270, P271, P280, P301+P317, P303+P361+P353, P304+P340, P317, P318, P330, P370+P378, P403+P235, P405, P501
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
NFPA 704 four-colored diamondHealth 3: Short exposure could cause serious temporary or residual injury. E.g. chlorine gasFlammability 3: Liquids and solids that can be ignited under almost all ambient temperature conditions. Flash point between 23 and 38 °C (73 and 100 °F). E.g. gasolineInstability 2: Undergoes violent chemical change at elevated temperatures and pressures, reacts violently with water, or may form explosive mixtures with water. E.g. white phosphorusSpecial hazard W: Reacts with water in an unusual or dangerous manner. E.g. sodium, sulfuric acid
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3
3
2
W
Flash point 24 °C (75 °F; 297 K) (open cup)
39 °C (closed cup)
428 °C (802 °F; 701 K)
Explosive limits 2.6–11.0%2
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
720 mg/kg
2703 ppm (mouse, 2 hr)
400 ppm (rat, 6 hr)3
714 ppm (cat, 5 hr)
2381 ppm (rabbit, 5 hr)
4622 ppm (guinea pig, 5 hr)
2353 ppm (cat, 1 hr)3
NIOSH (US health exposure limits):
PEL (Permissible)
 TWA 25 ppm (90 mg/m3)2
REL (Recommended)
 Ca2
IDLH (Immediate danger)
 Ca [100 ppm]2
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).

2-Nitropropane (2-NP) is an organic compound with the formula (CH3)2CH(NO2). It is used as a solvent.4 It is a colorless liquid and is classified as a nitro compound.

Preparation

2-Nitropropane is produced by the high-temperature vapor-phase nitration of propane, usually with impurities of 1-nitropropane. 2-Nitropropane is also produced as a volatile by-product that can be captured during Leonard's ring-closure hydantoin preparation.5

Uses

2-Nitropropane is used as a solvent or additive in inks, paints, adhesives, varnishes, polymers, resins, fuel, and coatings.6 It is also used as a feedstock for other industrial chemicals,6 and also in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals such as phentermine, chlorphentermine, and teclozan. It serves as an oxidant in the Hass–Bender oxidation process.

Safety

2-Nitropropane is a constituent of tobacco smoke.7 Based on studies in animals, it is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen6 and it is listed as an IARC Group 2B carcinogen.8

References

References

  1. Record in the GESTIS Substance Database of the Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
  2. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. "#0460". National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
  3. "2-Nitropropane". Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health Concentrations. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
  4. Markofsky, S. B. (2000). "Nitro Compounds, Aliphatic". Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH. doi:10.1002/14356007.a17_401.pub2. ISBN 978-3527306732.
  5. M. J. Leonard; A. R. Lingham; J. O. Niere; N. R. C. Jackson; P. G. McKay; H. M. Hϋgel (6 Mar 2014). "Alternative synthesis of the anti-baldness compound RU58841" (PDF). RSC Advances. 4 (27): 14143–14148. Bibcode:2014RSCAd...414143L. doi:10.1039/c4ra00332b. S2CID 55586351.
  6. "2-Nitropropane". Report on Carcinogens (PDF) (Report) (Twelfth ed.). National Toxicology Program, Department of Health and Human Services. 2011. p. 300. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-01-20. Retrieved 2012-06-13.
  7. Talhout, Reinskje; Schulz, Thomas; Florek, Ewa; Van Benthem, Jan; Wester, Piet; Opperhuizen, Antoon (2011). "Hazardous Compounds in Tobacco Smoke". International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 8 (12): 613–628. doi:10.3390/ijerph8020613. ISSN 1660-4601. PMC 3084482. PMID 21556207.
  8. "Agents Classified by the IARC Monographs" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-10-25. Retrieved 2012-06-13.