Dinitrotoluenes
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
This article describes dinitrotoluenes (1, 2, 4 and 1, 2, 5), which are used in the production of explosives and dyes. It notes their potential to cause occupational poisoning and outlines methods for their detection in urine and air.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
DINITROTOLUENES (1, 2, 4 and 1, 2, 5), C6H3CH3(NO2)2. A mixture of dinitrotoluenes is included in certain explosives and serves as an intermediate product in the production of trinitrotoluene (TNT—one of the most important explosives) and corresponding amines in the dye industry. All these substances can cause occupational poisoning. The objects of investigation are urine and the air of work premises. With acetone and caustic alkali, dinitrotoluenes produce a blue-violet coloration (just like dinitrobenzene). Therefore, their detection and quantitative determination in urine and air are performed as they are for dinitrobenzene (see).
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Cite this page
“Dinitrotoluenes.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.com/article/dinitrotoluenes/