Aniline (Phenylamine or amido-benzene) is an oily liquid occurring in coal-tar and made by the reduction of nitro-benzene and used in the manufacture of chemicals, dyes and drugs. It was discovered in 1826 by Unverdorben among the products of distillation of indigo. In 1856 Bechamp obtained it from nitro-benzene. Benzene, when acted on by nitric acid, produces nitro-benzene; and this, when reduced with iron-filings or scraps, and a small amount of hydrochloric acid, yields aniline. It is also prepared by passing an electric current through a mixture of nitro-benzene and sulphuric acid. It is a colourless oily liquid, somewhat heavier than water, with a peculiar smell, and a burning taste. It is a basic substance, and, like the alkaloids, forms salts with different acids. An important group of aniline dyes are the azo dyes, obtained by the action of nitrous acid and the phenols on aniline. The manufacture of these aniline dyes was introduced in 1856 by Mr. Perkin of London but were most largely manufactured in Germany. Research Aniline
Abbreviations
SciTech
Research Aniline