2,6-Xylidine

2,6-Xylidine is an organic compound with the formula C₆H₃(CH₃)₂NH₂. It is one of several isomeric xylidines. It is a colorless viscous liquid. Commercially significant derivatives are the anesthetics lidocaine, bupivacaine, mepivacaine, and etidocaine.

Uses

2,6-Xylidine is an intermediate in manufacturing pesticides, dyes, antioxidants, pharmaceuticals, resins, fragrances, and other products. 2,6-Xylidine is a major building block, for example for the synthesis of drugs like lidocaine and ranolazine. Another application is the production of crop protection agents like phenylamide-type fungicides or chloroacetanilide-type herbicides.