Mononitrotoluene

Overview
Mononitrotoluene, or methylnitrobenzene or nitrotoluene (MNT or NT), is an organic compound, a nitro compound derivate of toluene (or alternatively a methyl derivate of nitrobenzene). Its chemical formula is C6H4(CH3)(NO2).

Mononitrotoluene comes in three isomers, differing by the relative position of the methyl and nitro groups:
 * ortho-nitrotoluene (ONT), o-nitrotoluene, or 2-nitrotoluene, CAS number . It is a pale yellow liquid with a subtle, characteristic smell. It is non-hygroscopic and noncorrosive. Its melting point is -9.3 &deg;C and its boiling point is 222 &deg;C. It is toxic.
 * meta-nitrotoluene (MNT), m-nitrotoluene, or 3-nitrotoluene, CAS number . It is a yellowish-greenish to yellow liquid with weak fragrance. Its melting point is 16.1 &deg;C.
 * para-nitrotoluene (PNT), p-nitrotoluene, or 4-nitrotoluene, CAS number . It is a pale yellow material forming rhombic crystals. Its melting point is 51.7 &deg;C and its boiling point is 238.3 &deg;C. It is almost insoluble in water.

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.