Nitrobenzene was first prepared in 1834 by the German chemist Eilhardt Mitscherlich, who treated benzene with fuming nitric acid.

Where is nitrobenzene found?

Where can nitrobenzene be found and how is it used? Very low levels of nitrobenzene may be found in air and/or water. The levels remain low even near sites where nitrobenzene is made or used. Nitrobenzene is rarely found in drinking water.

How is nitrobenzene formed?

Nitrobenzene is prepared by nitration of benzene with a mixture of concentrated sulfuric acid, water, and nitric acid. This mixture is sometimes called "mixed acid."