Dinitro-ortho-cresol

4,6- Dinitro -o -cresol ( DNOC )

Yellow crystals

Fixed

1.58 g · cm -3

87 ° C

312 ° C

10 hPa ( 20 ° C)

4.31

Slightly soluble in water:

• 0.198 gl -1 ( 20 ° C)
• 6.94 g · l -1 ( pH 7 and 20 ° C)

Risk

Not yet determined

7 mg · kg -1 ( LD50, rat, oral)

Template: Infobox chemical / molecular formula search available

2-methyl- 4 ,6- dinitrophenol and 4,6 -dinitro -o-cresol ( DNOC ), is a double nitrated ortho- cresol. It was developed by Bayer (1892 ) as an insecticide and G. Truffaut et Cie. (1934 ) as the first organic herbicide introduced.

Properties

2 -methyl-4 ,6-dinitrophenol formed yellow crystals with triclinic crystal structure, which are explosive in dry form and melting at 88.2 to 89.9 ° C. It is highly toxic and can be absorbed through the skin. In animal experiments shows 2-methyl -4 ,6-dinitrophenol mutagenic effect. With alkali metals, it forms water soluble salts.

Use

2-methyl -4 ,6-dinitrophenol is a non- systemic insecticide with contact and stomach poison action against biting and sucking pests, especially to combat the nun moth (Lymantria monacha ) in the forest, as a winter spray (yellow oil) against overwintering stages of animal pests in fruit and viticulture and used as ovicide against spider mites. It is also used as a contact herbicide with corrosivity against annual weeds in cereals and maize as well as the haulm in potato. Biochemically it acts as 2,4 -dinitrophenol as uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation.

It is used as the sodium or ammonium salt of an admixture of at least 10% water.

An alleged use of 2- methyl -4 ,6-dinitrophenol during the Vietnam War as a defoliant "Agent Yellow" is occasionally mentioned in German literature. In the English-language press, there is no evidence of it.