Introducción
Classification and labelling of 2,6-dinitrotoluene:
Carc. Cat. 2; R45 - Muta. Cat. 3; R68 - Repr. Cat. 3; R62 - T; R23/24/25 - Xn; R48/22 - R52-53
+ R45: May cause cancer.
+ R23/24/25: Toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed.
+ R48/22: Toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed.
+ R62: Possible risk of impaired fertility.
+ R68: Possible risk of irreversible effects.
+ R52/53: Harmful to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment.
+ S53: Avoid exposure - obtain special instructions before use.
+ S45: In case of accident or if you feel unwell, seek medicaladvice immediately (show the label where possible).
+ S61: Avoid release to the environment. Refer to special instructions / Safety data sheets.
Use
Most of the 2,4-dinitrotoluene produced is hydrogenated (nickel catalyst) to 2,4-diaminotoluene (see IARC, 1978, 1987a) for conversion to toluene diisocyanate (see IARC, 1986, 1987b), which is a monomer in the production of polyurethane (see IARC, 1979). A much smaller amoiint is used in explosives and for further nitration to trinitrotoluene (see this volume). Crude mixtures of 2,4- and 2,6-dinitrotoluenes are also used to produce mixed toluene diamines (80 : 20 or 67 : 33, depending on the nitration process used), which in turn are converted to mixed toluene diisocyanates for polyurethane production. The use of these mixed isomers in polyurethane production has considerable cost benefits (Booth, 1991).
Dinitrotoluenes, including the 2,4-, 2,6- and 3,5-isomers, are used in organic synthesis in the production of toluidines and dyes. ln the production of explosives, dinitrotoluenes are used to manufacture trinitrotoluene and gelatin explosives, to plasticize cellulose nitrate, to moderate the burning rate of propellants and to waterproof soMne smokeless powders (Howard, 1989; Lewis, 1993).
