Dinitroaniline Explained

Dinitroanilines are a class of chemical compounds with the chemical formula C6H5N3O4. They are derived from both aniline and dinitrobenzenes. There are six isomers: 2,3-dinitroaniline, 2,4-dinitroaniline, 2,5-dinitroaniline, 2,6-dinitroaniline, 3,4-dinitroaniline, and 3,5-dinitroaniline.

Dinitroanilines are intermediates in the preparation of various industrially important chemicals including dyes and pesticides. Herbicides which are derivatives of dinitroanilines include benfluralin, butralin, chlornidine, dinitramine, dipropalin, ethalfluralin, fluchloralin, isopropalin, methalpropalin, nitralin, oryzalin, pendimethalin, prodiamine, profluralin, and trifluralin.

2,4-Dinitroaniline can be prepared by reaction of 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene with ammonia or by acid hydrolysis of 2,4-dinitroacetanilide.

Dinitroanilines are explosive and flammable with heat or friction. Since they are made from readily obtainable raw materials, during World War I Germany used them as Ersatz high explosives.

Dinitroanilines were developed prior to 2015 by, among others, the Dow Chemical Company, who then sold their business to privately-held Gowan Company.[1]

Dinitroanilines
Chemical name2,3-Dinitroaniline 2,4-Dinitroaniline 2,5-Dinitroaniline 2,6-Dinitroaniline 3,4-Dinitroaniline 3,5-Dinitroaniline
Alternate name2,3-Dinitro-1-aminobenzene
2,3-Dinitrophenylamine
2,3-Dinitraniline
2,4-Dinitro-1-aminobenzene
2,4-Dinitrophenylamine
2,4-Dinitraniline
2,5-Dinitro-1-aminobenzene
2,5-Dinitrophenylamine
2,5-Dinitraniline
2,6-Dinitro-1-aminobenzene
2,6-Dinitrophenylamine
2,6-Dinitraniline
3,4-Dinitro-1-aminobenzene
3,4-Dinitrophenylamine
3,4-Dinitraniline
3,5-Dinitro-1-aminobenzene
3,5-Dinitrophenylamine
3,5-Dinitraniline
Chemical structure
CAS Number602-03-9 97-02-9 619-18-1 606-22-4 610-41-3 618-87-1
26471-56-7 (isomeric mixture)
PubChem
Chemical formulaC6H5N3O4
Molar mass183.12 g/mol
Appearancecolorless to yellowish combustible powder
Melting point187.8 °C136 °C (decomp.)154–158 °C160–162 °C[2]
Density1.646 g/cm (50 °C)[3] 1.61 g/cm1.736 g/cm1.601 g/cm (50 °C)
Solubilitysoluble in water (1–2 g/L at 20 °C)
GHS hazard pictograms
H- and P-phrases

Notes and References

  1. https://www.dowagro.com/EN-US/NEWSROOM/PRESSRELEASES/2015/11/GOWAN-SALE dowagro.com: "Gowan Company, L.L.C. Agrees to Acquire Global DNA Business from Dow AgroSciences LLC"
  2. Web site: 3,5-Dinitroaniline. Sigma-Aldrich.
  3. Book: C. L. Yaws . Thermophysical properties of chemicals and hydrocarbons . 1st . 221 . William Andrew Inc. . New York . 2008 . 978-0-815-51596-8.