2,4-Dinitrophenol

Synonyms

1'alpha-2,4-Dinitrophenol; 1-Hydroxy-2,4-dinitrobenzene; 2,4-Dinitrofenol [Dutch]; 2,4-Dinitrophenol; 2,4-Dnp; AI3-01535; Aldifen; Camello mosquito coils; Chemox PE; Cobra salts; Impregna salts); DNP; Dinitrofenolo [Italian]; Dinofan; EK 102; Fenoxyl carbon N; Maroxol-50; Nitro kleenup; Nitrophen; Nitrophen (VAN); Nitrophene; Nitrophene (VAN); Osmoplastic-R; Osmotox-Plus; Phenol, alpha-dinitro-; P048; Shirakiku brand mosquito coils; Solfo Black 2B Supra; Solfo Black B; Solfo Black BB; Solfo Black G; Solfo Black SB; Tertrosulphur Black PB; Tertrosulphur PBR; X 32; alpha-Dinitrophenol; [ChemIDplus]

Category

Nitrophenols

Description

Yellow crystals with a sweet, musty odor; [CHRIS]

Sources/Uses

Used as a chemical intermediate (dyes and photographic developers), biocide in metal-working fluids, wood preservative, insecticide, polymerization inhibitor (styrene production), and veterinarian medication; [HSDB]

Comments

In the 1930s, it was used to treat obesity. Reported adverse effects included agranulocytosis, neuritis, and heart damage. Poisoning by ingestion causes uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation with high fever, sweating, tachycardia, abdominal pain, anxiety, rapid breathing that may end in convulsions and death. Poisoning has also caused toxic hepatitis, renal failure, and cataract formation. [HSDB] May cause first degree burns after short exposure and second degree burns after longer contact; May cause cataracts after chronic exposure; [CHRIS] There is a case report of dinitrophenol causing cholestatic jaundice. [Zimmerman, p. 351] See "Dinitrophenol."

Its use as a pesticide was cancelled. [HSDB]

Biomedical References

0.00039 mm Hg

LCLo (dog) = 300 mg/m3/30 min

MetHgb is secondary toxic effect

Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion

Yes

Skin burns

Other Poison

Uncoupler

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Acute tubular necrosis
• Cataract, chemical or radiation induced
• Pentachlorophenol/Dinitrophenol, acute poisoning

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Applying Wood Preservatives
• Metal Machining
• Plastic Composites Manufacturing