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Chemical Name: 1-Chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene
Synonyms: CDNB
CAS Number: 97-00-7
Appearance: Yellow crystalline solid
Odor: Discrete chemical scent, not particularly strong
Hazard Classes: Acute toxicity (oral, dermal, inhalation), skin and eye irritant, possible mutagenic effects
Signal Word: Danger
Primary Hazards: Causes severe skin burns, damage to eyes, and possible burns to the respiratory tract if inhaled dust reaches the upper tract. Might trigger allergic skin reactions. Prolonged exposure, even to small amounts, affects blood (hemolytic anemia), liver, and kidneys. This compound’s dinitro structure often raises concerns about chronic toxicity and, for those handling it, the risk of cumulative exposure is something to watch.
Pictograms: Health hazard, exclamation mark, corrosive
Component: 1-Chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene
Purity: Usually exceeds 99% in lab and industrial batches
Mixtures: No notable contaminants in high-grade forms, but dust may mix with trace nitro byproducts if sourced from non-chemically controlled supply
Eye Contact: Flush eyes with room temperature, low-pressure water stream for at least 15 minutes. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do. Medical attention is needed, given the corrosive nature.
Skin Contact: Take off any clothing touched by the chemical, rinse thoroughly with water and soap. See a healthcare provider immediately—skin absorbs some nitro compounds, and there’s risk of severe reaction.
Inhalation: Remove the person to fresh air promptly. If breathing is difficult, oxygen can help while on the way to a medical facility. Serious inhalation calls for immediate professional assessment.
Ingestion: Rinse the mouth thoroughly, never induce vomiting. Seek emergency care, as systemic poisoning is a real threat if swallowed.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical, CO2, or foam
Hazardous Combustion Products: Nitrogen oxides, hydrogen chloride, other toxic fumes
Special Hazards: Burns hotter than many organic solids and releases noxious gases, so avoid inhalation bystanders’ exposure. Dinitro compounds can irritate lungs, eyes, and mucosa even at distance.
Firefighting Gear: Full protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus necessary, not only to avoid chemical burn but to prevent breathing vaporized nitro byproducts
Personal Precautions: Evacuate those not involved in cleanup. Wear gloves, goggles, and a respirator with filters capable of handling organic dust. Don’t let the powder contaminate skin. Nitrophenols and relatives linger in environment and bioaccumulate.
Cleanup Methods: Gently scoop solid or use HEPA-filter vacuum. Mop residual powders with damp disposable towels. All equipment that touched the chemical should be decontaminated or disposed of.
Environmental Precautions: Avoid letting chemical reach sewage or open water sources. Do not flush to drain. Isolate via sand or other inert absorbent barriers.
Handling: Always work in a chemical fume hood or well-ventilated area. Use chemical-resistant gloves, goggles, and a lab coat. Always wash up immediately after working with the compound.
Storage: Keep in sealed amber glass bottles, away from direct sunlight and separate from food or incompatible chemicals, particularly strong bases and oxidizers. Store at ambient temperature, no dramatic humidity swings, and keep containers clearly labeled.
Exposure Limits: OSHA or ACGIH have not published specific limits, but treat like other nitroaromatic toxicants—keep as low as possible.
Engineering Controls: Always use within a certified fume hood. Local ventilation stops exposure to fine dust.
Personal Equipment: Splash goggles, gloves made from neoprene or nitrile, disposable lab coat or apron. Respiratory protection is critical if powder forms, preferably an organic vapor/mist respirator rated by NIOSH.
Hygiene Measures: Do not eat, drink, or smoke around chemical work. Always wash up after use. Take contaminated clothing out of use until properly decontaminated.
Form: Yellow crystalline powder
Melting Point: About 53°C
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling, doesn’t vaporize much at room temperature
Solubility: Low in water, high in most organic solvents like acetone and ether
Vapor Pressure: Low, not volatile in most ambient settings
Odor: Faint, chemical-like, hard to detect at low concentrations
Stability: Fairly stable under ordinary conditions if kept dry and away from light
Reactivity: Reacts with strong bases and reducing agents, releasing irritating gases. Can form shock-sensitive compounds with some metals over time, so avoid non-routine contact.
Hazardous Decomposition: Nitrogen oxides and hydrogen chloride under intense heat or decomposition. These can be both corrosive and harmful even at low concentrations.
Routes of Exposure: Skin, inhalation, ingestion
Acute Effects: Immediate burning pain or itching to skin and eyes, respiratory distress if inhaled, potentially fatal if swallowed in quantity
Chronic Effects: Repeated exposure damages liver, kidneys, and red blood cells. Some studies link dinitrobenzenes to reduced fertility in animal studies, though no definite conclusion for humans.
Target Organs: Blood, liver, kidneys, skin
Carcinogenicity: No direct evidence of carcinogenicity in humans, but mutagenic activity noted in certain lab tests. Precaution and minimized exposure are best practice.
Persistence and Degradability: Sticks around in the environment. Nitrated aromatics break down slowly.
Bioaccumulation: Data shows a tendency to accumulate in animal tissue, though not dramatically.
Aquatic Toxicity: Harmful to aquatic life—stresses water-dwelling organisms even at low concentrations. Take steps to completely avoid contaminating soil or water bodies.
Soil Mobility: Binds to sediment and soil particle surfaces and tends not to travel far in ground water. Long-term residues can hang around farm or industrial waste sites.
Waste Handling: Treat as hazardous waste. Incinerate at a chemical waste facility capable of scrubbing nitro and chlorine combustion byproducts.
Special Precautions: Never pour to drain or mix with general refuse. Package and label solid or filtered waste for professional collection.
Container Cleanup: Triple rinse with compatible solvents, collect rinseate for disposal, or destroy container through licensed hazardous waste contractors.
UN Number: Classified as hazardous cargo, assigned as Class 6.1 for toxic substances in most transport regulations.
Packing Group: II, usually indicating medium hazard
Label Requirements: Corrosive and toxic symbols must appear on all outer packaging.
Additional Precautions: Packages should travel in sealed, impact-resistant containers. Declare presence to carriers and handle in compliance with local and international shipping laws.
Federal Listings: Shows up on Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) inventory in the US. Subject to strict tracking in Europe and Asia as an industrial pollutant.
Right-to-Know: Listed under many state and overseas chemical right-to-know laws because of acute toxicity and long-term environmental impact.
Workplace Restrictions: No safe thresholds announced by mainstream agencies, so use is restricted to trained personnel with access to adequate protective measures and waste controls.
