3-Nitrobenzoic acid

3-Nitrobenzoic acid is an organic compound with the formula C₆H₄(NO₂)CO₂H. It is an aromatic compound and under standard conditions, it is an off-white solid. The two substituents are in a meta position with respect to each other, giving the alternative name of m-nitrobenzoic acid. This compound can be useful as it is a precursor to 3-aminobenzoic acid, which is used to prepare some dyes.^[2]

3-Nitrobenzoic acid

Skeletal formula Ball-and-stick model
Names
Preferred IUPAC name 3-Nitrobenzoic acid
Other names m-Nitrobenzoic acid
Identifiers
CAS Number	121-92-6 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChEBI	CHEBI:231494
ChEMBL	ChEMBL274839 Y
ChemSpider	8183 Y
ECHA InfoCard	100.004.099
PubChem CID	8497
UNII	H318ZW7612 Y
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID0025737
InChI InChI=1S/C7H5NO4/c9-7(10)5-2-1-3-6(4-5)8(11)12/h1-4H,(H,9,10) Y Key: AFPHTEQTJZKQAQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y InChI=1/C7H5NO4/c9-7(10)5-2-1-3-6(4-5)8(11)12/h1-4H,(H,9,10) Key: AFPHTEQTJZKQAQ-UHFFFAOYAS
SMILES O=[N+]([O-])c1cc(C(=O)O)ccc1
Properties
Chemical formula	C7H5NO4
Molar mass	167.12 g/mol
Appearance	cream-colored solid
Density	1.494 g/cm3
Melting point	139 to 141 °C (282 to 286 °F; 412 to 414 K)
Solubility in water	0.24 g/100 mL (15 °C)
Acidity (pKa)	3.47 (in water)[1]
Magnetic susceptibility (χ)	-80.22·10−6 cm3/mol
Related compounds
Related compounds	Benzoic acid Nitrobenzene Anthranilic acid 3,5-Dinitrobenzoic acid 2-Nitrobenzoic acid 4-Nitrobenzoic acid
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Y verify (what is YN ?) Infobox references

Preparation

It is prepared by nitration of benzoic acid at low temperatures. Both 2-Nitrobenzoic acid and 4-Nitrobenzoic acid are produced as side products, with yields of approximately 20% and 1.5% respectively.^[2] Since carboxylic acid functional groups are electron withdrawing, during an electrophilic aromatic substitution reaction of nitration, substituents are directed to a meta position which explains this regiochemistry.

A less efficient route involves nitration of methyl benzoate, followed by hydrolysis.^[3] Alternatively, oxidative C-C bond cleavage of 3-nitroacetophenone to the corresponding aryl carboxylic acid, has been demonstrated.^[4] A further synthesis involves the oxidation of 3-nitrobenzaldehyde.

Properties

With a pK_a of 3.47,^[1] 3-nitrobenzoic acid is about ten times more acidic than benzoic acid. The conjugate base of benzoic acid is stabilised by the presence of the electron withdrawing nitro group which explains its increased acidity in comparison to unsubstituted benzoic acid.^[5] It is typically soluble in oxygenated and chlorinated solvents.^[6]

Reactivity

The presence of both carboxylic acid and nitro functional groups deactivate the ring with respect to electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions. Hydrogenation gives 3-aminobenzoic acid.^[2]

Safety

The compound is likely of modest toxicity, with LD₅₀ (i.v., mouse) of 640 mg/kg. This compound can cause skin and eye irritation with symptoms of exposure including methemoglobin, sensitisation, irritation, and corneal damage.^[7]

References

1. "Dissociation Constants Of Organic Acids And Bases". Retrieved 11 April 2010.
2. Takao Maki, Kazuo Takeda (2002). "Benzoic Acid and Derivatives". Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH. doi:10.1002/14356007.a03_555. ISBN 978-3527306732..
3. Oliver Kamm and J. B. Segur "m-Nitrobenzoic Acid" Org. Synth. 1923, volume 3, 73.doi:10.15227/orgsyn.003.0073
4. Li, Meichao; Shen, Zhenlu; Xu, Liang; Wang, Shengpeng; Chen, Bajin; Hu, Xinquan; Hu, Baoxiang; Jin, Liqun; Sun, Nan (2018-05-16). "Oxidative C–C Bond Cleavage for the Synthesis of Aryl Carboxylic Acids from Aryl Alkyl Ketones". Synlett. 29 (11): 1505–1509. doi:10.1055/s-0037-1609751. ISSN 0936-5214. S2CID 104110049.
5. "20.4 Substituent Effects on Acidity". Chemistry LibreTexts. 2017-08-25. Retrieved 2018-09-25.
6. Ashford, Edith. Benezit Dictionary of Artists. Vol. 1. Oxford University Press. 2011-10-31. doi:10.1093/benz/9780199773787.article.b00007872.
7. "M-Nitrobenzoic acid". CAMEO Chemicals. Retrieved 2018-09-25.