3,4-Dichloroaniline


3,4-Dichloroaniline is an organic compound with the formula C6H3Cl2. It is one of several isomers of dichloroaniline. It is a white solid although commercial samples often appear gray. It is a precursor to dyes, agricultural chemicals, and drugs including the antimalarial chlorproguanil and the herbicides propanil, linuron, DCMU, and diuron.

Preparation

It is produced by hydrogenation of 3,4-dichloronitrobenzene.

Safety and environmental aspects

Being a precursor to some herbicides, the toxicity and fate of dichloroaniline is of interest. One pathway for the biodegradation of dichloroaniline is oxidation to the catechol derivatives.