It is pale yellow liquid that crystallizes in two forms, called α (−9.27 °C) and β (−3.17 °C). It is mainly a precursor to o-toluidine, which is an intermediate in the production of various dyes.
2-Nitrotoluene is a nitroaromatic compound. Multi-functional magnetic resins having high surface area and ion exchange efficiency (GMA30-1 and GMA30-2) were developed and were tested for the desorption of 2-nitrotolene.