The production of nitrobenzene is one of the most dangerous processes conducted in the chemical industry because of the exothermicity of the reaction (ΔH = −117 kJ/mol).

[5] The nitration process involves formation of the nitronium ion (NO2+), followed by an electrophilic aromatic substitution reaction of it with benzene.

Nitrobenzene is used to mask unpleasant odors in shoe and floor polishes, leather dressings, paint solvents, and other materials.

[8] Aside from its conversion to aniline, nitrobenzene can be selectively reduced to azoxybenzene,[9] azobenzene,[10] nitrosobenzene,[11] hydrazobenzene,[12] and phenylhydroxylamine.

Inhalation of vapors may induce headache, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, cyanosis, weakness in the arms and legs, and in rare cases may be fatal.

Ingestion may similarly cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and gastrointestinal irritation, loss of sensation/use in limbs and also causes internal bleeding.