3-Nitrotoluene or meta-nitrotoluene is an organic compound with the formula CH3C6H4NO2.

A yellow liquid, it is used in the manufacture of meta-toluidine, which is an intermediate in the production of various dyes.

[3] It is made by nitrating toluene by conventional mixed acid (acetyl nitrate doesn't produce it[4]): this reaction mainly affords a 2:1 mixture of 2-nitro and 4-nitro isomers, but after removal of the 2-isomer, the 3-nitrotoluene can be purified by distillation.

It is a precursor to toluidine, which is used in producing azo dyes.

[3] This article about an aromatic compound is a stub.