Dinitro-ortho-cresol

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Dinitro-ortho-cresol}}

{{Chembox

| Name = Dinitro-ortho-cresol

| ImageFile = 2-Methyl-3,5-dinitrophenol.svg

| ImageSize = 150px

| PIN = 2-Methyl-3,5-dinitrophenol

| OtherNames = {{bulletedlist|3,5-Dinitro-ortho-cresol| 3,5-Dinitro-o-cresol| 4,6-Dinitro-2-hydroxytoluene| DNOC| 2-Methyl-3,5-dinitrophenol | 4,6-Dinitro-o-cresol| 3,5-Dinitro-2-hydroxytoluene | 4,6-Dinitro-2-methyl phenol | DNC }}

|Section1={{Chembox Identifiers

| CASNo = 497-56-3

| CASNo_Ref = {{cascite|correct|CAS}}

| PubChem = 68131

| ChemSpiderID = 61439

| SMILES = [O-][N+](=O)c1cc(O)c(c([N+]([O-])=O)c1)C

| InChI = 1S/C7H6N2O5/c1-4-6(9(13)14)2-5(8(11)12)3-7(4)10/h2-3,10H,1H3

}}

|Section2={{Chembox Properties

| C=7 | H=6 | N=2 | O=5

| Appearance = Yellow solid

| Odor = Odorless

| Density = 1.58 g/cm3

| MeltingPtC = 86.5

| BoilingPtC = 312

| Solubility = 0.01% (20°C)

| VaporPressure = 0.00005 mmHg (20°C)

}}

|Section3={{Chembox Hazards

| MainHazards =

| FlashPt = noncombustible

| FlashPt_ref =

| AutoignitionPt =

| PEL = TWA 0.2 mg/m3 [skin]{{PGCH|0234}}

| REL = TWA 0.2 mg/m3 [skin]

| IDLH = 5 mg/m3

| LD50 = 7 mg/kg (oral, rat)
50 mg/kg (oral, cat)
21 mg/kg (oral, mouse)
24.6 mg/kg (oral, rabbit)
24.6 mg/kg (oral, guinea pig)
31 mg/kg (oral, rat){{cite web |url = https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/idlh/534521.html |title = Dinitro-o-cresol |work = Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health Concentrations (IDLH)|publisher = National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |date = 4 December 2014 |accessdate = 17 March 2015}}

}}

}}

Dinitro-ortho-cresol (DNOC) is an organic compound with the structural formula CH3C6H2(NO2)2OH. It is a yellow solid that is only slightly soluble in water. It is extremely toxic to humans and was previously used as a herbicide and insecticide.

Preparation

This compound is prepared by disulfonation of o-cresol. The resulting disulfonate is then treated with nitric acid to give DNOC. A variety of related derivatives are known including those where the methyl group is replaced by sec-butyl (dinoseb), tert-butyl (dinoterb), and 1-methylheptyl (dinocap). These are prepared by the direct nitration of the alkyphenols.{{cite encyclopedia|author=Gerald Booth|title=Nitro Compounds, Aromatic|encyclopedia=Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry|year=2007|publisher=Wiley-VCH|location=Weinheim|doi=10.1002/14356007.a17_411}}

Applications and safety

DNOC is an uncoupler, which means that it interferes with adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production,{{cite journal | last1 = Parker | first1 = V. H. | last2 = Barnes | first2 = J. M. | last3 = Denz | first3 = F. A. | title = Some Observations on the Toxic Properties of 3:5-Dinitro-Ortho-Cresol | doi = 10.1136/oem.8.4.226 | year = 1951 | pages = 226 | volume = 8 | journal = Occupational and Environmental Medicine | url= | issue=4| pmc = 1037342 | pmid=14878957}}{{cite journal | pmid = 14839311 | last1 = Harvey | first1 = DG | year = 1951 | pages = 13–6 | issue = 4722 | last2 = Bidstrup | volume = 2 | first2 = PL | journal = British Medical Journal | last3 = Bonnell | first3 = JA | title = Poisoning by dinitro-ortho-cresol; some observations on the effects of dinitro-ortho-cresol administered by mouth to human volunteers | pmc = 2069381 | doi=10.1136/bmj.2.4722.13}} making it extremely toxic to humans.{{cite web |title=4,6-DINITRO-o-CRESOL (DNOC) (including salts) |url=https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-09/documents/4-6-dinitro-o-cresol.pdf |website=Environmental Protection Agency |access-date=14 December 2023}}

DNOC was one of the earliest pesticides developed, being used as an insecticide since the 1890s and a herbicide since the 1930s.{{cite journal |last1=Biegaǹska |first1=Jolanta |title=Neutralization of 4,6-Dinitro- o -cresol Waste Pesticide by Means of Detonative Combustion |journal=Environmental Science & Technology |date=1 February 2005 |volume=39 |issue=4 |pages=1190–1196 |doi=10.1021/es035327p}} It was banned for use as a pesticide in the United States in 1991.

Symptoms of dinitro-ortho-cresol poisoning, due to ingestion or other forms of exposure, include confusion, fever, headache, shortness of breath, and sweating.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rightdiagnosis.com/c/chemical_poisoning_dinitrocresol/intro.htm|title=Chemical poisoning -- Dinitrocresol Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatments and Causes - RightDiagnosis.com|website=www.rightdiagnosis.com}}

References

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