Dinitrotoluene or Dinitro is an explosive with the formula C₆H₃(CH₃)(NO₂)₂. At room temperature it is a pale yellow to orange crystalline solid. It is a high explosive. It is one of the precursors for TNT, which is synthesized through three separate nitrations of toluene. The first product is mononitrotoluene, DNT is the second, and TNT is the third and final product. DNT's chemical formula is C₇H₆N₂O₄.

Most DNT is used in the production of Toluene diisocyanate which is used to produce flexible polyurethane foams. DNT is hydrogenated to produce toluene diamine, which in turn is phosgenated to form Toluene diisocyanate. Other uses include the explosives industry, dyes and plastics. It is not used by itself as an explosive, but is converted to TNT, or used as an additive with other compounds.

There are 7 possible isomers of dinitrotolulene. The most common one is 2,4-dinitrotolulene.

See also

• Trinitrotoluene or TNT
• Toluene

External links

Explosive chemicals | explosives | Nitro compounds

Dinitrotoluen | 2,4-Dinitrotoluol