dinitrophenol

American  

[dahy-nahy-truh-fee-nawl, -nol] / daɪˌnaɪ trəˈfi nɔl, -nɒl /

noun

Chemistry, Pharmacology.

1. any of the six isomers consisting of phenol where two hydrogen atoms are substituted by nitro groups, C 6 H 4 N 2 O 5 , used in dyes and wood preservatives, and in biochemistry to uncouple oxidative phosphorylation.

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Etymology

Origin of dinitrophenol

First recorded in 1895–1900; di- ¹ + nitrophenol

Example Sentences

The fearful power of penta, which acts in much the same way as dinitrophenol, is illustrated in a fatal accident recently reported by the California State Department of Public Health.

From The New Yorker • Jan. 3, 2017

A post-mortem report read at the inquest revealed the cause of death as dinitrophenol toxicity.

From BBC • Jul. 23, 2015

In the 1930s, doctors prescribed an industrial chemical called dinitrophenol, which accelerated metabolism, but also caused fever, swelling and deadly toxicity in some patients.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 24, 2012

In the case of Prontosil, since like dinitrophenol it affects the production of white blood cells, it comes under the medical rule of thumb: what ever stimulates may also destroy.

From Time Magazine Archive

Experiments show that the motility of bull sperm is decreased by dinitrophenol, which interferes with the energy- coupling mechanism with inevitable loss of energy.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson