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General Use of Dinitrosalicylic Acid

Dinitrosalicylic acid is a stable chemical compound, but just as the name "acid" implies, it is a dangerous chemical. It is caustic, meaning it causes burns to the skin. When dinitrosalicylic acid is inhaled, it burns the respiratory tract, and, if swallowed, it burns the gastrointestinal tract. The dangerous nature of this chemical makes it ill fitted for any common household uses. Therefore, it is generally used only in specific laboratory and medical assays.

  1. Definition

    • Dinitrosalicylic acid, chemically known as 3,5-dintrosalicylic acid, is a yellow solid compound. The molecular formula is C7H4N2O7, which is depicted in the image. Dinitrosalicylic acid is not soluble in water but is soluble in alcohol and benzene.

    Reducer

    • In 1921, scientists found that dinitrosalicylic acid is effective in determining the amount of glucose (sugar) in the urine. This is especially useful with diabetic patients. Sugars like glucose are effective reducing agents, meaning it donates electrons to another substance and it becomes oxidized.

      When testing urine, lab technicians add dinitrosalicylic acid reagent (which typically also includes Rochelle salt to prevent oxygen from dissolving, phenol to intensify the color reaction produced and sodium bisulfite to stabilize the reaction) to urine samples, and as the dinitrosalicylic acid becomes reduced, a color change happens, which signifies sugar is present in the urine.

    Quantifier

    • The color change produced by the dinitrosalicylic acid is so intense that it can be used to actually quantify the actual amount of sugar in the urine. To do this, a set of permanent standards can be prepared with known amounts of glucose. Then the test reactions can be compared to the standards to determine the amount within the samples.

    Alpha-Amylase

    • Dinitrosalicylic acid is used as the color reagent in reactions of alpha-amylase, which is an enzyme that can break down starch. When alpha-amylase is added to starch, it initiates a hydrolysis reaction in which water helps to break bonds, releasing maltose (a sugar). Dinitrosalicylic acid changes colors as maltose is released, showing that the reaction is occurring.

    Dinitrosalicylic Acid vs. Salicylic Acid

    • Salicylic acid is more commonly known, but do not get these two seemingly similar compounds confused. Salicylic acid is a white crystalline substance that is used in making aspirin and in medications to treat acne. Since Dinitrosalicylic acid is dangerous to touch, inhale and ingest, it cannot be used for any medicinal purposes.

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