This compound belongs to the class of organic compounds known as nitrophenyl ethers. These are aromatic compounds containing a nitrobenzene moiety that carries an ether group on the benzene ring.
External Descriptors
Not available
1. Djoumbou Feunang Y, Eisner R, Knox C, Chepelev L, Hastings J, Owen G, Fahy E, Steinbeck C, Subramanian S, Bolton E, Greiner R, and Wishart DS. ClassyFire: Automated Chemical Classification With A Comprehensive, Computable Taxonomy. Journal of Cheminformatics, 2016, 8:61.
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Application Protocols
No assay or kit-style application protocols are specified for this small-molecule intermediate.
General lab use (guidance):
For stock solutions, dissolve in dry DMSO or DMF to 10–100 mM. Filter (0.2 µm PTFE) if particulates are present. Record exact concentration gravimetrically when feasible.
For reactions, pre-dry glassware and solvents. If using moisture-sensitive reagents (e.g., DIBAL-H, BBr3), maintain anhydrous, inert atmosphere conditions (N2/Ar) and use oven- or flame-dried apparatus.
Monitor reactions by TLC (UV 254 nm; nitroaromatics give strong UV response) and/or HPLC. IR can track nitrile consumption (CN band ~2220–2240 cm−1; literature).
Purification:
Attempt crystallization from EtOAc/hexanes or toluene/hexanes before resorting to column chromatography.
For silica chromatography, avoid highly basic eluents that may cause side reactions with nitro or nitrile functionalities.
Manufacturer-validated application methods: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
Biological Roles
This material is an anthropogenic small molecule building block and does not have known endogenous biological roles.
Endogenous occurrence: None expected; nitroaromatic benzonitriles are synthetic. Any observed bioactivity in the literature generally arises from derivatized analogs rather than this parent scaffold.
Functional groups and biochemical behavior (general, literature):
Nitro groups can undergo bioreductive metabolism in some enzyme systems (e.g., nitroreductases), but such processes depend strongly on substitution pattern and are context-specific.
The aryl nitrile is metabolically robust; hydrolysis or reduction in biological media typically requires enzymatic or harsh chemical conditions not present under physiological settings.
Research relevance (non-clinical):
Serves as a precursor for generating nitro- or amino-substituted anisole/nitrile derivatives used in probe development, materials, or structure–activity relationship (SAR) campaigns.
Safety note: No medical or clinical uses are implied. Handle solely as a research chemical with appropriate containment to avoid exposure; consult SDS for toxicological data if needed.
Because this is a general-purpose synthetic intermediate, biological pathways, receptors, or transport mechanisms are not typically discussed. Any bioassays would pertain to derivatives prepared from this scaffold rather than the parent compound itself.
Buffer Applications
Not typically applicable. 3-Methoxy-5-nitrobenzonitrile is a neutral, poorly water-soluble aromatic building block and is not used as a buffering agent.
If aqueous handling is necessary for bioconjugation or screening:
Dissolve first in DMSO or DMF to make a concentrated stock (e.g., 10–100 mM), then dilute into the aqueous buffer with vigorous mixing, keeping final DMSO ≤1–2% v/v when required by bioassays.
Consider surfactants or co-solvent systems (EtOH, MeCN) to aid dispersion.
For pH control in any related process, use standard buffer systems (phosphate, acetate, Tris, HEPES) rather than this compound.
Green Alternatives
Greener practice with this substrate focuses on solvent and reagent choices, as the molecule itself is a stable aromatic. Consider life-cycle impacts and workup efficiency.
Replace DMF/DMSO where possible with acetonitrile, 2-MeTHF, propylene carbonate, CPME, or water/ethanol mixtures, balancing kinetics and solubility.
For extractions/chromatography, prefer ethyl acetate, IPA, and heptane over dichloromethane/hexane blends when feasible.
Reduction/hydrolysis alternatives:
Nitrile to aldehyde: DIBAL-H is effective but pyrophoric; explore catalytic hydrogenations with chemoselective conditions or transfer hydrogenation if nitro reduction is acceptable or protected.
Nitro to amine: Employ catalytic hydrogenation (H2/Pd-C) in ethanol over tin or iron salts to reduce aqueous metal waste, acknowledging potential concurrent nitrile reduction (protect or sequence steps).
Hydrolysis: Switch to aqueous/basic conditions with phase-transfer catalysis to reduce polar aprotic solvent usage; microwave assistance can shorten times.
Energy and workup:
Use crystallization-driven purifications to minimize silica usage.
Employ solvent swaps and recovery (e.g., MeCN, EtOAc) and low-temperature reactions only when functionally necessary.
Comparison highlights (illustrative):
DMF vs MeCN: MeCN offers lower toxicity and easier removal; may give slower SNAr rates.
CH2Cl2 vs EtOAc: EtOAc is biodegradable and less hazardous; solubility may be reduced.
DIBAL-H vs catalytic hydrogenation: DIBAL-H is highly selective to aldehydes; hydrogenation reduces hazardous waste but risks over-reduction/chemoselectivity challenges.
Pharmaceutical Uses
No excipient or clinical use is indicated for this item. For research and process development only.
Role in pharmaceutical R&D (general):
Synthetic intermediate: The nitrile and nitro groups enable convergent routes to anilines, amides/acids, and heteroaryl frameworks, supporting medicinal chemistry exploration.
Functional-group interconversion platform: Demethylation to phenol followed by triflation/halogenation permits late-stage diversification via cross-coupling.
Regulatory status: No pharmacopeial monograph is known for 3-methoxy-5-nitrobenzonitrile (literature check recommended). Any cGMP applicability would require customized specifications and validation.
Impurity considerations (process context):
Potential genotoxic impurities are not inherent but could arise from process reagents (e.g., residual nitrosating species in nitro chemistry); appropriate risk assessments are advised in GMP settings.
Handling in formulation labs:
If used in screening libraries, prepare DMSO stocks under dry conditions; track hygroscopicity and precipitation on dilution.
Research Use Note: For research use only. Not for human or veterinary use.
Physical Properties
Item-specific numerical specifications are not provided in the Product Data. Where helpful, literature/computational expectations are noted for planning; confirm with CoA/Spec Sheet before use.
Appearance: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet. (Aromatic nitriles of this type are typically pale yellow to off-white crystalline solids; literature note.)
Molecular formula: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet. (Computed/literature: C8H6N2O3.)
Molecular weight: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet. (Computed/literature: ~178.14 g/mol.)
Melting point: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet. (Literature values for closely related methoxy‑nitro benzonitriles are commonly in the 70–120 °C range; use as a qualitative planning guide only.)
Boiling point/decomposition: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet. (Aryl nitriles with nitro groups often decompose before distillation; literature note.)
Density: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
Refractive index: Not applicable (solid) / Not specified for this item.
Solubility (qualitative, literature):
Organic: generally soluble in polar aprotic solvents (DMSO, DMF, NMP, MeCN) and moderately soluble in EtOAc, acetone, CH2Cl2; low solubility in alkanes/hexanes.
Aqueous: expected to be sparingly soluble due to the hydrophobic ring and absence of ionizable groups.
pKa/logP: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet. (Aryl nitriles with nitro/methoxy substitution typically show logP in the 1.5–2.5 range; literature expectation.)
UV-Vis: Not specified for this item; nitroaromatics exhibit π→π* absorbance in near-UV (literature note).
Quality & Grades
Grade/Purity: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
UV cutoff, residual solvents, trace metals, water content, peroxide content: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
Context and guidance for this compound type (general):
For synthetic building blocks like 3-methoxy-5-nitrobenzonitrile, labs typically consider:
Low inorganic residue and controlled particle size for reproducible reactions, especially in SNAr or metal-catalyzed transformations.
If HPLC or LC-MS monitoring is expected, materials designated “>98%” (by HPLC or GC) minimize baseline artifacts. “AR/ACS” grade generally ensures low inorganic contaminants suitable for analytical or general synthetic work.
Stabilizers: None are typically required for this substrate; absence/presence of any stabilizer is Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
What to verify upon receipt:
Check batch CoA for assay method (HPLC vs. GC), residual solvent profile, and any specified limits for water or ashes. If performing moisture-sensitive chemistry (e.g., nitrile reductions with hydrides), Karl Fischer moisture is useful; value Not specified for this item.
Suitability notes (general): High-purity lots are advisable for kinetic SNAr and selective reductions (e.g., DIBAL-H to aldehyde) to minimize byproducts from impurities that can act as nucleophiles or Lewis bases.
Reaction & Applications
As a multifunctional, electron-poor aromatic, 3-methoxy-5-nitrobenzonitrile serves as a versatile intermediate in heterocycle construction, cross-coupling sequences (after functional-group interconversions), and nucleophilic aromatic substitutions.
Transformations of the nitrile (literature):
Hydrolysis: to amide (partial) or carboxylic acid (complete) under acidic (H2SO4/H2O, reflux) or basic (KOH, EtOH/H2O, reflux) conditions. The nitro group is generally stable under these conditions.
Reduction: to aldehyde with DIBAL-H (−78 to 0 °C, CH2Cl2/toluene); to primary amine via catalytic hydrogenation or metal hydrides (LiAlH4; or via oxime/imide pathways). Caution: concurrent nitro reduction can occur under hydrogenation; chemoselective protocols or protection strategies may be needed.
Nitro group chemistry:
Reductive transformations to anilines (Sn/HCl, Fe/AcOH, catalytic hydrogenation). Resulting anilines can undergo diazotization, Sandmeyer reactions, or serve as nucleophiles for ring closures.
As a strong –M director, the nitro group activates ortho/para positions for SNAr. In this substitution pattern, positions 4 and 6 (para/ortho to NO2) are most activated.
Under forcing SNAr conditions, OMe is not a typical leaving group; instead, convert to a better leaving group (e.g., phenol → triflate) for cross-couplings.
After demethylation and triflation, Suzuki–Miyaura, Buchwald–Hartwig, or Negishi couplings enable rapid diversification while retaining or transforming the nitrile/nitro handles.
Applications (general):
Fragment in nitrile-containing scaffolds, nitro-to-amine divergent syntheses, and as a precursor to 3-hydroxy-5-nitro- and 3-amino-5-nitrile phenyl derivatives relevant to materials and discovery chemistry.
Reaction Conditions
The following are literature-style general conditions for functional-group manipulations of this substrate; optimize per your setup and consult primary sources.
Demethylation (OMe → OH):
BBr3 (1.2–3.0 equiv) in dry CH2Cl2, −78 to 0 °C to rt, 1–12 h; quench with MeOH/H2O at 0 °C. Yields commonly 70–90% for anisoles; electron-poor rings typically demethylate smoothly.
Alternatives: BCl3, TMSI; or AlCl3/thiol systems under harsher conditions.
Nitrile reductions:
To aldehyde: DIBAL-H (1.1–1.5 equiv), −78 to −20 °C in toluene/CH2Cl2; careful quench with Rochelle’s salt; typical yields 60–85% (literature ranges).
To amine: LiAlH4 (2–4 equiv) in THF/Et2O, 0 °C to reflux, 2–16 h; or H2 (1–5 bar) with Pd/C or Raney Ni in EtOH/EtOAc at rt–60 °C. Note potential concurrent NO2 reduction under hydrogenation.
Hydrolysis (nitrile → amide/acid):
Basic: KOH (2–5 M) in EtOH/H2O (1:1 to 3:1), reflux 6–24 h; work up acidification to pH ~2.
Acidic: conc. H2SO4 or HCl (aq), 80–120 °C, 6–24 h; co-solvent (dioxane) aids solubility.
Nitro reduction (to aniline):
Fe/AcOH or SnCl2/HCl in EtOH/H2O, 50–80 °C, 2–8 h; or H2/Pd-C in EtOH at rt–50 °C. Protect nitrile if selective reduction is required.
SNAr (at positions activated by NO2):
With amines/thiolates: polar aprotic solvent (DMSO/DMF), base (K2CO3/NaH), 60–120 °C, 4–24 h. Leaving group installation at the target site (e.g., convert phenol to aryl fluoride/triflate) is usually required; OMe is not a viable leaving group.
Workup/purification tips:
Many derivatives crystallize; attempt direct crystallization before chromatography. For silica, use 1–5% MeOH in CH2Cl2/EtOAc to elute polar nitro/amide products.
All values above are general literature guidance, not item-specific specifications.
Safety & Handling
Follow standard laboratory chemical hygiene and consult the product SDS for authoritative guidance.
GHS classification: Not specified for this item; refer to SDS.
Signal word / H-statements / pictograms: Not specified for this item; refer to SDS.
General hazards (literature/analogy):
Nitroaromatics may cause irritation to skin, eyes, and respiratory tract; avoid dust generation and inhalation.
Aryl nitriles can be harmful if swallowed or inhaled; treat as toxicologically significant and handle in a fume hood.
Recommended PPE and engineering controls:
Wear lab coat, safety glasses or splash goggles, and appropriate chemical-resistant gloves (e.g., nitrile). Use in a certified chemical fume hood.
Handling practices:
Avoid heat and open flames; nitroaromatics can decompose on strong heating.
Prevent contact with strong bases or strong acids when not intended for reaction; moisture control improves shelf life and reproducibility.
Incompatibilities (general): Strong reducing agents (risk of nitro reduction exotherm), strong oxidizers (combustibility of organics), strong bases/acids (hydrolysis/activated SNAr conditions if unintended).
First-aid overview (summary; refer to SDS):
Inhalation: move to fresh air; seek medical attention if symptoms persist.
Skin/eyes: rinse with water for at least 15 minutes; remove contaminated clothing; obtain medical advice if irritation continues.
Ingestion: rinse mouth; do not induce vomiting; seek medical attention.
Fire-fighting: Use dry chemical, CO2, or foam. Combustion may produce NOx/CO/CO2; firefighters should wear SCBA.
Waste: Collect as halogen-free organic waste unless process introduces halogens; dispose per institutional and local regulations.
Solvent Selection
This substrate is an electron-deficient, moderately polar aromatic solid. Solvent choice depends on the transformation and desired kinetics.
SNAr with amines/thiols: Polar aprotic solvents (DMSO, DMF, NMP) enhance anion/nucleophile reactivity and solubilize salts; MeCN is a cleaner, lower-boiling option when reactivity permits.
Nitrile reductions (to aldehyde/amine): For DIBAL-H, use dry toluene or CH2Cl2 at −78 to 0 °C. For catalytic hydrogenation (Raney Ni/Pd), protic solvents (EtOH, iPrOH) or EtOAc are common.
Hydrolysis to amide/acid: Aqueous-organic biphasic systems (EtOH/H2O, dioxane/H2O) help dissolve the aryl nitrile; for base hydrolysis use EtOH/H2O with KOH; for acid hydrolysis use mineral acid in water with co-solvent as needed.
Demethylation (BBr3): Dry CH2Cl2 or toluene at −78 to 0 °C, strictly anhydrous.
Practical notes:
If crystallization/purification by trituration is desired, choose antisolvents (hexanes, heptane) where the product has low solubility.
Avoid strong nucleophilic solvents (e.g., MeO−/MeOH) when SNAr selectivity is critical; unintended methoxylation is possible under basic conditions.
Brief comparison (literature):
DMSO/DMF (high solvating power) vs MeCN (lower bp, easier workup) vs CH2Cl2/EtOAc (good for extractions and chromatography, moderate solubility).
Shipped in: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
Container and environment (general best practice):
Store tightly closed in a dry, inert atmosphere (desiccator or dry cabinet) away from strong acids/bases and reducing agents. Protect from prolonged light exposure that may yellow nitroaromatics.
Stability considerations:
Nitroaromatic benzonitriles are typically shelf-stable at ambient conditions when kept dry. Avoid sustained temperatures >50–60 °C and sources of ignition.
Hygroscopicity: Generally low, but moisture can affect certain reactions (e.g., with BBr3, DIBAL-H); keep bottle tightly sealed.
Reconstitution/solution preparation:
For reaction stock: Dissolve in anhydrous organic solvent (e.g., DCM, MeCN, THF, toluene, DMF, DMSO) under inert gas if required by the downstream chemistry. Warm gently or sonicate to aid dissolution.
For bioassay stock: Prepare in DMSO (10–100 mM), aliquot, and store at −20 °C to minimize freeze–thaw; allow to reach room temperature before opening to prevent moisture ingress.
Freeze–thaw guidance:
Solid: Not sensitive to freeze–thaw.
Solutions: Limit freeze–thaw cycles; use single-use aliquots for DMSO/DMF solutions.
Always consult the product CoA and SDS for lot-specific information and detailed handling instructions.
Structure & Identity
3-Methoxy-5-nitrobenzonitrile is an electron-deficient, trisubstituted aromatic nitrile featuring a methoxy donor and a nitro acceptor on a benzonitrile core.
Chemical identity (as provided):
Product name: 3-Methoxy-5-Nitrobenzonitrile
CAS: 33224-19-0
PubChem CID: 4267958
InChIKey: 150836 (as provided; verify on CoA/SDS for the definitive InChIKey)
SMILES: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
Computed/literature structural data (for reference):
Molecular formula (computed from structure): C8H6N2O3
Molecular weight (computed): ~178.14 g/mol
Structural features (general description):
Aromatic ring bearing three substituents: a nitrile (–C≡N) at ring position 1, a methoxy (–OCH3) at meta position (3-), and a nitro (–NO2) at meta position (5-).
Functional groups: aryl nitrile (strongly electron-withdrawing), nitro group (strong –M/–I), and an anisole-type methoxy (weakly donating by resonance, donating is attenuated by the other EWG substituents).
The ring is deactivated overall toward electrophilic substitution but activated at positions ortho/para to the nitro for nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SNAr).
Planar π-system with conjugation between the aryl ring and the nitrile; the nitro group contributes additional electron withdrawal through resonance/induction.
2D structure in words: a benzene ring with –C≡N at C1; –OCH3 at C3; –NO2 at C5 (relative to the nitrile). No stereocenters; achiral.
Synthetic Utility
3-Methoxy-5-nitrobenzonitrile combines three strategically complementary handles on a single ring, enabling orthogonal transformations and rapid scaffold diversification.
Nitrile (−C≡N):
Hydrolysis to amide/acid; amidines via Pinner reaction (alcoholic HCl → imidate → amidine).
Reductions: DIBAL-H to aldehyde; LiAlH4 or catalytic hydrogenation to primary amine; borane can provide chemoselective reductions in some cases (literature).
Cross-coupling adjunct: The aryl nitrile survives many Pd-catalyzed couplings, allowing install-then-modify sequences.
Nitro (−NO2):
Reductive conversion to aniline unlocking diazotization/Sandmeyer chemistry and intramolecular cyclizations (e.g., to benzoxazoles after prior phenol formation and coupling with nitrile-derived functionalities).
Acts as a strong activator for SNAr at positions ortho/para to NO2; facilitates introduction of amines, alkoxides, or thiolates at C-4/C-6.
Methoxy (−OMe):
Demethylation to phenol (BBr3/BCl3/TMSI), enabling phenol derivatization (sulfonates/triflates) and subsequent cross-couplings (Suzuki–Miyaura, Buchwald–Hartwig, Negishi).
Retrosynthetic leverage:
The pattern allows late-stage diversification without protecting groups if chemoselective protocols are chosen (e.g., reduce nitrile first under DIBAL-H, then manipulate NO2 under non-reductive conditions, or vice versa).
3-methoxy-5-carboxybenzonitrile (via hydrolysis) → esters, amides, or decarboxylation strategies.
These orthogonal vectors make the compound a compact platform for library synthesis and heterocycle assembly.
Target Specificity
Not applicable. This product is a small-molecule chemical building block, not a biological macromolecule, antibody, or probe with defined biological targets.
No antigen/epitope, clone, isotype, or species reactivity information applies.
For any target-binding studies using derivatives prepared from this scaffold, characterize specificity empirically (e.g., KD, IC50) with appropriate controls.
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