2,5-Xylidine


2,5-Xylidine is an organic compound with the formula C6H32NH2. It is one of several isomeric xylidines. It is a colorless viscous liquid. Commercially significant derivatives include Solvent Yellow 30, Solvent Red 22, Acid Red 65, and Solvent Red 26.

Production

Like many xylidines, it is prepared by nitration of the corresponding xylene followed by reduction of the nitroxylene. Reduction can be effected with HCl/Fe, but usually is achieved by catalytic hydrogenation:

Safety

It is mutagenic and tumor-inducing. Acute toxicity of xylidines is modest as indicated by LD50 are in the range 0.1-1 g/kg.