It is a derivative of aniline, carrying a nitro functional group in position 2.

2-Nitroaniline is prepared commercially by the reaction of 2-nitrochlorobenzene with ammonia:[2] Many other methods exist for the synthesis of this compound.

Nitration of acetanilide gives only traces of 2-nitro isomer is obtained due to the great steric effect of the amide.

[3][4] 2-Nitroaniline is the main precursor to phenylenediamines, which are converted to benzimidazoles, a family of heterocycles that are key components in pharmaceuticals.

Owing to the influence of the nitro substituent, the amine exhibits a basicity nearly 100,000x lower than aniline itself.