[mywetnightmares]

Dinitrophenol is a very stable high explosive similar to TNT. There are several isomers of dinitrophenol, but the most useful and easiest to make is 2,4-dinitrophenol. Dinitrophenol is rarely used alone as an explosive, but rather it is used in compositions with other high explosives, mostly for shells. While more stable than TNT it has a lower detonation velocity. Dinitrophenol forms many explosive salts with certain metal compounds that are described herein. Dinitrophenol is also an extremely deadly compound. It can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin. It raises the body temperature and will kill you. This interesting side effect is due to a massive increase in metabolism that forces the body to burn fat. For this reason it was the first prescribed drug for obesity starting in the 1930’s, but was banned shortly thereafter. It made a resurgence in the 1990’s among body builders, and is still used today. The problem is because it raises metabolism so much your body produces an excessive amount of heat, and this is what kills you. Take too much and you will fry your organs. However, one can lose over 2 pounds of fat a day or more if you are careful and drink lots of water. Dinitrophenol is also a pesticide and a fungicide sold under the trade name Chemox PE. It is most often used to control citrus red mites. Various dinitrophenol derivatives have been made, but are all banned due to mutagenic properties on fetuses.

That's from the RogueSci chem lab