nitrobenzene

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

nitrobenzene
    n 1: a poisonous oily water-soluble liquid used as a solvent and
         in the manufacture of aniline

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Nitrobenzene \Ni`tro*ben"zene\ (? or ?), n. [Nitro- + benzene.]
   (Chem.)
   A yellow aromatic liquid ({C6H5.NO2}), produced by the action
   of nitric acid on benzene, and called from its odor
   {imitation oil of bitter almonds}, or {essence of mirbane}.
   It is used in perfumery, and is manufactured in large
   quantities in the preparation of aniline. Fornerly called
   also {nitrobenzol}.
   [1913 Webster] Nitrobenzol