Chemistry:2,4-Dinitrotoluene

Short description: Organic chemical compound

2,4-Dinitrotoluene

Names
Preferred IUPAC name 1-Methyl-2,4-dinitrobenzene
Other names Dinitrotoluol, Methyldinitrobenzene
Identifiers
CAS Number	121-14-2 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChEBI	CHEBI:920 Y
ChEMBL	ChEMBL259865 Y
ChemSpider	8150 Y
KEGG	C11006 Y
PubChem CID	8461
UNII	6741D310ED Y
UN number	Molten: 1600 Solid or liquid: 2038
InChI InChI=1S/C7H6N2O4/c1-5-2-3-6(8(10)11)4-7(5)9(12)13/h2-4H,1H3 Y Key: RMBFBMJGBANMMK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y InChI=1/C7H6N2O4/c1-5-2-3-6(8(10)11)4-7(5)9(12)13/h2-4H,1H3 Key: RMBFBMJGBANMMK-UHFFFAOYAC
SMILES Cc1ccc(cc1[N+](=O)[O-])[N+](=O)[O-]
Properties
Chemical formula	C7H6N2O4
Molar mass	182.134 g/mol
Appearance	Pale yellow to orange crystalline solid
Density	1.52 g/cm3
Melting point	70 °C (158 °F; 343 K)
Boiling point	Decomposes at 250–300 °C
Vapor pressure	1.47X10-4 mm Hg @ 22 C
Hazards
Main hazards	carcinogen, combustible (though difficult to ignite)
Flash point	207 °C; 404 °F; 480 K
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
LD50 (median dose)	1,954 mg/kg (oral, mouse)
LDLo (lowest published)	27 mg/kg (cat, oral)
NIOSH (US health exposure limits):
PEL (Permissible)	TWA 1.5 mg/m3 [skin]
REL (Recommended)	Ca TWA 1.5 mg/m3 [skin]
IDLH (Immediate danger)	Ca [50 mg/m3]
Explosive data
Shock sensitivity	Insensitive
Friction sensitivity	Very low
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Infobox references

Tracking categories (test):

• SizeSet

2,4-Dinitrotoluene (DNT) or dinitro is an organic compound with the formula C₇H₆N₂O₄. This pale yellow crystalline solid is well known as a precursor to trinitrotoluene (TNT) but is mainly produced as a precursor to toluene diisocyanate.

Isomers of dinitrotoluene

Six positional isomers are possible for dinitrotoluene. The most common one is 2,4-dinitrotoluene. The nitration of toluene gives sequentially mononitrotoluene, DNT, and finally TNT. 2,4-DNT is the principal product from dinitration, the other main product being about 30% 1,3-DN2-T. The nitration of 4-nitrotoluene gives 2,4-DNT.

Applications

Most DNT is used in the production of toluene diisocyanate, which is used to produce flexible polyurethane foams. DNT is hydrogenated to produce 2,4-toluenediamine, which in turn is phosgenated to give toluene diisocyanate. In this way, about 1.4 billion kilograms are produced annually, as of the years 1999–2000. Other uses include the explosives industry. It is not used by itself as an explosive, but some of the production is converted to TNT.

Dinitrotoluene is frequently used as a plasticizer, deterrent coating, and burn rate modifier in propellants (e.g., smokeless gunpowders). As it is carcinogenic and toxic, modern formulations tend to avoid its use. In this application it is often used together with dibutyl phthalate.

Toxicity

Dinitrotoluenes are highly toxic with a threshold limit value (TLV) of 1.5 mg/m³. It converts hemoglobin into methemoglobin.

2,4-Dinitrotoluene is also a listed hazardous waste under 40 CFR 261.24. Its United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Hazardous Waste Number is D030. The maximum concentration that may be contained to not have toxic characteristics is 0.13 mg/L.