[4] It is a colorless liquid and is classified as a nitro compound.

2-Nitropropane is produced by the high-temperature vapor-phase nitration of propane, usually with impurities of 1-nitropropane.

2-Nitropropane is also produced as a volatile by-product that can be captured during Leonard's ring-closure hydantoin preparation.

[5] 2-Nitropropane is used as a solvent or additive in inks, paints, adhesives, varnishes, polymers, resins, fuel, and coatings.

[6] It is also used as a feedstock for other industrial chemicals,[6] and also in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals such as phentermine, chlorphentermine, and teclozan.