3280. 2,4-Dinitrophenol

Nomenclature

CAS number: 51-28-5
α-Dinitrophenol; Aldifen.
C6H4N2O5; mol wt 184.11.
C 39.14%, H 2.19%, N 15.22%, O 43.45%.

Description and references

Prepd by the action of NaOH on 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene. Crystal and molecular structure: F. Iwasaki, Y. Kawano, Acta Crystallogr. 33B, 2455 (1977). Toxicity data: E. W. Schafer, Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 21, 315 (1972). Review of toxicology and human exposure: Toxicological Profile for Dinitrophenols (PB95-264339, 1995) 262 pp.

Chemical structure

Properties

Yellowish to yellow orthorhombic crystals. d 1.683. mp 112-114°. Sublimes when carefully heated. Volatile with steam. Very sparingly sol in cold water; soly in water (g/100 g of satd soln): at 54.5° = 0.137; at 75.8° = 0.301; at 87.4° = 0.587; at 96.2° = 1.22. Soly at 15° (g/100 g soln): Ethyl acetate 15.55; acetone 35.90; chloroform 5.39; pyridine 20.08; carbon tetrachloride 0.423; toluene 6.36. Sol in alcohol, benzene, aq alkaline solns. Forms crystalline sodium salt which is sol in water. LD50 orally in rats: 30 mg/kg (Schafer).

Caution

Rapidly absorbed through GI tract, respiratory tract and intact skin. Potential symptoms of overexposure are marked fatigue, tremendous thirst, profuse sweating, flushing of face; nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea; restlessness, anxiety, excitement; rise in body temperature; tachycardia, hyperpnea, dyspnea, cyanosis, muscle cramps; kidney and liver injury. See Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products, R. E. Gosselin et al., Eds. (Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, 5th ed., 1984) Section III, pp 156-159.

Use

Manuf dyes, diaminophenol, wood preservative, insecticide; also as indicator. pH range: 2.6 colorless, 4.4 yellow. Reagent for the detection of potassium and ammonium ions.