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Acetaldehyde-2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazone: A Closer Look

Historical Development

Chemistry often relies on simple indicators to uncover deeper truths, and the history of Acetaldehyde-2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazone stretches back to decades when organic analysis had to be both clever and low-tech. The roots go to 2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazine (commonly called DNPH), a compound that researchers recognized for its uncanny ability to form visible, stable derivatives from carbonyl compounds. The reaction between acetaldehyde and DNPH produced an intensely colored crystalline derivative—Acetaldehyde-2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazone—making identification of aldehydes possible long before powerful spectrometers transformed laboratories. This approach, marrying simple hydrargyrum glassware and sharp observation, made it possible to catalog and confirm the presence of aldehydes and ketones in everything from plant extracts to environmental samples. As classical organic chemistry matured, textbooks described these DNPH derivatives as essential teaching tools, sometimes serving as a rite of passage for students learning to handle volatile chemicals and master crystallization techniques.

Product Overview

Acetaldehyde-2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazone shows up as a bright, orange-yellow solid, standing out on a laboratory bench. Making this compound starts with a straightforward reaction: mixing DNPH with an acetaldehyde solution, letting them combine under slightly acidic conditions, and watching for the bold color shift as orange crystals form. The product grants researchers a way to trap and isolate the carbonyl group, replacing fleeting, hard-to-identify liquids with solid samples that can survive shipping and storage. Unlike modern mass spectrometry, this derivative provides tangible, hands-on results. Storing Acetaldehyde-2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazone doesn’t call for frozen vials or elaborate setups; a tightly sealed bottle works for most purposes, as the compound keeps its integrity at room temperature, provided sunlight and moisture stay away.

Physical & Chemical Properties

The physical side of Acetaldehyde-2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazone is anything but boring: its melting point offers a precise fingerprint that helps distinguish it from other aldehyde-derived DNPHs. The compound typically appears as fine needles or plate-like crystals, and in practice, experienced chemists recognize it by its vibrant hue and the way it precipitates suddenly when the classic test is done right. Its solubility leans toward organic solvents rather than water, so filtration and washing call for a careful touch to avoid losing yield. Chemically, the dinitro groups on the aromatic ring draw electron density away, making the whole derivative less reactive than many organics but still sensitive to strong acids, bases, or reducing conditions. In my classroom days, a good melt-point determination felt like a minor victory, one many students recall with pride.

Technical Specifications & Labeling

Specifying Acetaldehyde-2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazone in a research or industrial context comes down to several practical points: purity, melting range, and the absence of unreacted DNPH or parent aldehyde. For academic labs, the exact melting point provides a quick internal check for purity. Proper labeling should include the chemical formula, clear hazard warnings linked to the nitro groups and hydrazone backbone, and storage advice to avoid heat, sparks, and incompatibles like strong oxidizers. Given modern regulations, the presence of nitro groups means the product receives some scrutiny for explosive potential, so shipping and handling fall under additional guidelines, particularly for bulk orders. Label accuracy means more than bureaucracy: a misplaced bottle in my first lab nearly sent me on a wild goose chase, thinking I’d created a new compound rather than grabbed the wrong standardized sample.

Preparation Method

Synthesizing Acetaldehyde-2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazone is closer to art than rote procedure. The process isn’t just mixing reagents together; concentration, temperature, and timing set apart a clean product from a messy, oily residue. Traditional methods dissolve DNPH in an ethanol and acid mixture, add the acetaldehyde under stirring, and watch the product solidify, usually within minutes. Filtering and washing the orange precipitate under cool conditions boosts purity and helps remove leftover acid and side products. Even in today’s world of automated chemistry, this step remains largely manual, a bridge to the era when scientists often worked alone at the bench. My own trial runs with this preparation taught caution: overzealous heating led to degraded yields and dark side products, proof that old-school organic work asks for a patient, sharp eye.

Chemical Reactions & Modifications

Acetaldehyde-2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazone’s real power stems from its role as a stable, isolable checkpoint during synthetic or analytical work. The hydrazone linkage seals the reactive carbonyl group, creating a chemically stable compound that withstands most storage and mild handling. The molecule’s dinitrobenzene ring sets the stage for further substitutions or spectroscopic analysis, especially UV – the nitro groups give a strong absorbance. Chemists aiming for deeper analyses may tweak the parent aldehyde, swap out DNPH for substituted derivatives, or add complexity for structure–activity studies. The backbone remains resilient through routine manipulations, standing up to chromatography and mild recrystallization. As a bonus, its characteristic IR and NMR fingerprints make it a reliable standard for teaching spectral interpretation. Several research groups have investigated further modifications, finding new ways to use the hydrazone group as a springboard for even more advanced molecules, though the classic derivative still holds its ground as a gold standard in characterization labs.

Synonyms & Product Names

In chemical catalogs, Acetaldehyde-2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazone earns a few alternate monikers: some refer to it as 2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazone of acetaldehyde or acetaldehyde DNPH derivative. Students sometimes shorthand it to “acetaldehyde DNPH” during bench work, a habit that sticks even as careers move from college labs to industry. The different names can puzzle newcomers, especially when searching journals or procurement lists; consistent chemical identifiers, like CAS numbers, become essential in avoiding unintended substitutions. My experience aligning nomenclature across international research groups confirmed that clarity matters as much as chemical accuracy, especially with compounds that can interact hazardously if mistaken for a close cousin.

Safety & Operational Standards

Handling Acetaldehyde-2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazone means respecting its nitro and hydrazone groups. Laboratories follow strict safety measures, including gloves, goggles, and working in fume hoods, thanks to the potential for dermal sensitivity and inhalation risks. The parent DNPH ranks as a known explosive hazard when dried to dust or exposed to friction, so institutions keep quantities small and dampen samples when possible. Waste disposal for DNPH derivatives isn’t trivial—treating leftover reagents as hazardous means following regulated protocols instead of pouring anything down the sink. Storage also matters: the compound goes in segregated cabinets away from bases and oxidizers, with regular checks for degradation. In my own workshops, a clear, practiced routine with this and related compounds avoided nasty surprises, reinforcing habits that apply across almost any synthetic lab.

Application Area

Chemists and analysts reach for Acetaldehyde-2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazone to confirm the presence or measure the concentration of acetaldehyde, especially in air monitoring and environmental analysis. The method remains robust in occupational health, where tracking low levels of volatile carbonyls—formaldehyde, acetaldehyde—matters for regulatory compliance. Researchers monitoring indoor air quality or measuring emissions from industrial processes often trap and analyze DNPH derivatives in portable cartridges, then use HPLC to quantify results. Outside air and pollution work, the hydrazone derivative helps with structural assignment, purity checks in organic synthesis, and every level of chemistry teaching. Preparing and characterizing this compound forms a staple in organic chemistry instruction, giving beginners hands-on proof of chemical reactivity and the value of solid derivatives. My time in both research and education convinced me that “old-fashioned” reagents like DNPH hydrazones still compete with newer, more expensive methods—especially where cost, reliability, and the ability to work with your own hands matter.

Research & Development

Acetaldehyde-2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazone brings fresh angles to ongoing research in analytical chemistry and environmental monitoring. Efforts to improve air sampling—especially for trace aldehyde detection—lean heavily on optimizing cartridge materials, elution protocols, and detection methods linked to this derivative. Many labs test tweaks in solvent composition or DNPH loading to reduce interference or increase throughput, as real-world samples often involve complex mixtures. Some research teams push to miniaturize collection devices, finding ways to use microfluidic chips or portable sensors, all tied back to the hydrazone’s reliability as a quantifiable marker. In organic and pharmaceutical spheres, researchers continue exploring new hydrazone derivatives to label or transform carbonyl-containing drugs and intermediates. Even after decades of use, Acetaldehyde-2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazone stands as a bench mark, lending confidence to method validation studies and laying groundwork for new, automated analytical workflows.

Toxicity Research

Discussions on toxicity rarely get much airtime in chemistry classrooms, yet the health concerns deserve real attention with acetaldehyde derivatives, especially those housing nitro groups. Acetaldehyde, the parent compound, carries well-known risks: carcinogenicity, mucosal irritation, and systemic toxicity. DNPH and its hydrazone products amplify some of these concerns. Animal studies and cell models have linked chronic DNPH exposures to organ toxicity, while nitroaromatic compounds as a class show mutagenic potential. In practice, the hydrazone derivative seems less volatile and less acutely dangerous than either parent, but dust generation or improper disposal can still cause headaches for safety officers. Protective culture goes a long way: gloves, hoods, and honest training cut down exposure, just as regular monitoring of workplace air prevents long-term accumulation. Reading between the lines of official toxicity assessments, clear gaps exist—particularly around chronic, low-level exposures in real-world lab environments—and more longitudinal studies could help close the loop. My view, forged through years working alongside safety committees and new researchers, is that vigilance pays off, especially with legacy chemicals many consider routine but still potent.

Future Prospects

Looking ahead, Acetaldehyde-2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazone won’t vanish from classrooms or research labs anytime soon, regardless of how much technology moves chemical analysis online or into automated stations. Analytical chemists trust DNPH derivatives for their specificity, color, and ease of isolation, and any laboratory aiming for regulatory credibility continues to rely on these standards, no matter how powerful their spectrometers become. The future likely brings renewed efforts to minimize risks from hydrazone and nitro compounds, with research focused on greener, safer alternatives or improved containment systems. Automation and remote monitoring may shift some of the hands-on preparation away from bench chemists, but the underlying chemistry won’t change as fast as the tools built around it. Environmental science, in particular, holds steady demand for reliable, field-ready detection kits, and the simple chemistry of Acetaldehyde-2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazone will keep playing its role—acting as the bridge between old and new methods. For those entering chemistry or managing analytical projects, keeping classic tools sharp feels as important as pushing for the next leap in detection, technology, or safety.




What is Acetaldehyde-2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazone used for?

How Chemistry Gives Us Useful Tools

A lot of the work done in chemistry labs relies on little bits and pieces that don’t usually get headlines. Acetaldehyde-2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone, for instance, lives most of its life in the background, but the truth is, it handles essential tasks that let scientists tackle real-world problems. This compound grew out of a long history of researchers trying to make invisible molecules visible and measurable. It might sound exotic, but its role serves chemistry students and professional labs around the world.

Why People Bother Making It

If you’ve ever wondered how chemists pick apart what’s actually inside a jar or bottle, the answer usually starts with a search for reliable reactions that turn mystery substances into clear evidence. Acetaldehyde-2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone comes from reacting acetaldehyde—think fruity-smelling stuff found in trace amounts in wines and ripe fruit—with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH). The main draw? This reaction creates a solid compound, usually a crystal, that hits the sweet spot between distinctive and stable.

Back in my undergraduate days, the trick was simple: produce a yellow or orange crystal, filter it out, wash it off, and check its melting point. If your crystal melts right around the published number, you know what you’ve got. In a dimly-lit college lab, this simple act of turning an invisible, smelly liquid into a chunky solid felt downright satisfying. It wasn’t just about learning old-school chemistry tricks—it let students, with pretty basic tools, distinguish between different aldehydes and ketones without high-tech machines.

Linking the Test to Real-World Needs

Acetaldehyde-2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone goes beyond classroom demos. Factories and environmental labs rely on this compound’s parents—acetaldehyde and DNPH—for one big reason: air quality testing. DNPH reacts with aldehydes in the environment, and each reaction gives rise to a solid derivative, making measurements much easier. This is especially important since formaldehyde and acetaldehyde show up in cigarette smoke, car exhaust, and even building materials. By tracking pollution with a derivatization step, labs prevent guesswork.

The process gives not just a number, but also a chance to trap dangerous airborne compounds in a way they can’t escape. DNPH-coated cartridges remain the standard for sampling, relied on by regulatory groups like the EPA. The air flows through, the nasty chemicals stick, and labs analyze what’s caught by making hydrazones. You can spot them and measure them by color, chromatography, or melting point, depending on the resources available. This helps keep workers and city residents safer in the long run.

Making Analysis Practical and Affordable

Not everything in science relies on the newest machine or the flashiest computer program. Sometimes practical wins. Most university and college labs depend on the melting point game because it’s cheap, reliable, and doesn’t ask for fancy gadgets. DNPH chemistry makes that possible worldwide, letting folks check the purity of solvents, investigate pollutants, or simply study reaction pathways—and acetaldehyde-2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone is the proof in the beaker.

Room for Better Solutions

Of course, science always looks for improvements. DNPH reactions, including making acetaldehyde-2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone, deal with compounds that aren’t always friendly to people or the planet. Nitrated aromatics like DNPH carry risks if you handle them in bulk, and labs need proper ventilation and waste management. While this method holds a strong place in chemical education and industry, there’s constant effort to develop cleaner, safer, or faster alternatives. At its core, though, the test using acetaldehyde-2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone remains a clear example of chemistry solving practical problems, even if it’s a mouthful to pronounce.

What are the storage conditions for Acetaldehyde-2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazone?

Why Storage Guidelines Matter

Even though Acetaldehyde-2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone doesn’t make headlines, its storage affects anyone who steps into a lab. After years of working with organic compounds, I’ve seen too many accidents traced back to simple storage mistakes. Proper handling keeps us safe, protects equipment, and saves on replacement costs. Acetaldehyde-2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone proves especially touchy—one careless day, and you’re looking at compromised results, or worse.

The Straight Facts About Storage

This chemical forms when acetaldehyde reacts with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine. Its solid, crystalline structure comes across as stable, but appearances can deceive. It doesn’t take much—heat, sunlight, or moisture—to ruin a batch of this derivative. Based on lab manuals and material safety data sheets, the required storage conditions are clear:

  • Keep it dry: Water in the air does more than just cake the compound; it degrades it. If left exposed, humidity knocks the purity down fast and undermines any further analysis.
  • Avoid heat and direct light: Acetaldehyde-2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone decomposes above room temperature, so a cool area (often below 25°C) keeps it from breaking down. Direct sunlight speeds up chemical changes and should be avoided at all costs.
  • Store in a sealed, well-labeled glass container: Plastic sometimes reacts with organic compounds, so glass wins out for both safety and stability. Tight seals also stop pesky contamination or accidental spills.
  • Lock it away from incompatible substances: Avoid keeping it near oxidizers, acids, and bases. These combinations create dangerous reactions—combustion, release of gases, or contamination of your sample.

Lessons from Lab Experience

In my first years working with such derivatives, I learned the hard way that poor labeling multiplies risks. One container looked like another, and before you know it, folks mixed samples or disposed of them down the wrong waste line. Sharp labeling solves that. I once watched a postdoc scramble because her sample decomposed within days; turns out her bench got a blast of late-afternoon sun every day.

I’ve also seen researchers skip the desiccator to save time—often with the idea that “one day won’t hurt.” They came back to sticky crystals or off-colored products and had to restart whole projects. That wastes more time than simply popping the sample into a low-humidity chamber in the first place.

Let’s Talk Solutions

Most chemists know the rules, but execution can fall short. Investing in desiccators simply pays off. Using silica gel or anhydrous calcium chloride helps keep water out. Compact, temperature-controlled cabinets help a lot too, especially in older buildings where climate swings run wild.

Clear, detailed labels should be the norm—include contents, date, potential hazards, and your initials. Team training sessions really help new lab members understand why these practices aren’t just bureaucratic annoyances.

Building Safer, Smarter Labs

Acetaldehyde-2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone might fall in the shadow of flashier chemicals, yet how we treat it speaks volumes about our lab habits. Consistent storage practices don’t just check boxes for auditors—they prevent injuries, protect research, and teach newcomers the right way from the beginning.

A few careful steps—maintaining a dry, cool, dark environment, using glass containers, and keeping substances separated—make all the difference. Labs built on those habits run smoother, with fewer surprises and safer outcomes.

Paying attention pays off in chemistry. The bottle you store right today keeps you and your research clear tomorrow.

Is Acetaldehyde-2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazone hazardous or toxic?

Understanding What We’re Dealing With

This chemical, usually abbreviated as Acetaldehyde-2,4-DNPH, comes up now and then in labs. In high school chemistry, we used related compounds for aldehyde tests. Even back then, teachers would warn us to keep our gloves on. Like its relatives, this compound forms in labs when scientists want to “trap” acetaldehyde for measurement.

Digging into Toxicity and Hazards

The main question is: what happens if you accidentally come into contact with, inhale, or handle this chemical without much caution? Most dinitrophenylhydrazones have a reputation for being potentially hazardous. Their structure includes dinitro groups, which often flag up toxicity concerns.

I remember reading the material safety data sheets in college. They didn’t gloss over the discomfort: skin and eye irritation, and potential respiratory distress if you happened to breathe in the dust. A lot of chemicals in this family can sensitize skin, which means repeated contact makes your body even more sensitive over time.

The Real Risks in Research and Handling

Most folks outside laboratories won’t meet this compound directly. In fact, you’re unlikely to run into it at a hardware store or garden center. But researchers and lab workers face real hazards. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) points out that organic nitro compounds, including these hydrazone derivatives, can produce toxic gases if there’s a fire. Poor ventilation or spilled powder can put people at risk for headaches and nausea.

On top of that, some dinitrophenylhydrazone derivatives fall on the list of chemicals that possibly mess with organs after repeated exposure. Chronic contact isn’t common, but those who work with it daily should never shrug off protective gear or fume hoods. Medical studies show that inhaling or ingesting related compounds causes kidney and liver stress in lab animals, and there’s evidence of possible long-term health effects, though not at the scale of industrial exposures.

What Makes This Substance Worth Paying Attention To?

Hydrazones often hold explosive potential if mishandled. A solid bump or friction, especially with large samples, could result in dangerous situations. Stories float around of dry dinitrophenylhydrazine, a precursor, exploding unexpectedly in school labs. This serves as a wake-up call—thorough drying and storage in closed, cold environments matters. Heavy industrial use isn’t common across industries today, but in scientific research, it remains irreplaceable for certain tests.

How to Lower the Risks

Sensible practices go a long way. Proper storage in clearly labeled containers helps avoid confusion, and good ventilation clears the air. Workers dealing with this compound use thick gloves and safety goggles, and avoid creating dust or airborne particles. Many places recommend wetting down the substance before cleanup, to keep dust out of the air. In most labs, spill kits and emergency showers stand nearby for a reason.

Training for students and scientists on chemical safety—no shortcuts, no guesswork—gives the best protection. Even rare chemicals can cause harm if the basics get skipped. Smaller research teams sometimes improvise, but regular safety audits and ready access to fresh safety data sheets (SDS) close that gap. In my early work, whenever we changed compounds, we’d hold short meetings about risks, so no one went in unprepared.

Final Thoughts

Acetaldehyde-2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazone doesn’t appear in everyday life for most people, but its hazards matter to those who do handle it. Safety steps—gloves, goggles, strict storage, and solid training—carry more weight than any lab shortcut. Paying close attention to these basics minimizes danger and protects people from risk in academic or research settings.

How should Acetaldehyde-2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazone be handled safely?

A Closer Look at Lab Safety with Hazardous Compounds

I’ve spent years watching lab newcomers fumble over small bottles of bright orange powders. Chemicals like acetaldehyde-2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone look harmless on the bench, sitting in glass vials with their long official names typed on tape. This false sense of security can turn risky in an instant. The real worry comes when folks let their guard down. Here’s why work habits matter more than any lab sign ever could.

Safety Starts with Simple Habits

Building good habits beats memorizing protocols. I tell every new chemist: gloves on, goggles tight, lab coat done up properly before you open anything. There’s nothing fancy about this — years of safety data show that protection cuts incidents in half. Acetaldehyde-2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone can irritate skin, eyes, even lungs if dust floats up unnoticed. Once it settles anywhere on you, it isn’t easy to get rid of, so early protection keeps problems away.

Labeling and Storage

Every veteran in the lab double-checks labels before picking up a vial. Nobody trusts faded tape or a scribbled note. Clear labeling prevents mix-ups. Don’t trust memory — more than one chemical fire has started because someone hoped for the best. Storage matters just as much as labeling. Dry, cool cabinets work best for this compound. Sunlight, heat, or moisture all make it break down, leaving you with odd smells and unknown hazards. Containers with tight lids keep out water and dust, two ingredients for unwanted reactions.

Spills Happen — Quick Response Matters

Years ago, I saw a grad student knock over a pile of these small bottles during a late-night experiment rush. The best response came from someone close by who grabbed a spill kit without waiting for a supervisor. Paper towels, a mask, a small broom — simple tools make a world of difference. Any powder dumped on a bench gets scooped while the room’s still empty. People often want to keep going and brush it off, but stopping the experiment, cleaning completely, and throwing away contaminated gear reduces long-term risk. Don’t sweat the lost sample; safety beats any missed measurement.

Ventilation — Not Just a Box to Check

Hoods aren’t just for show. Open benchtop work sounds tempting on quiet nights, but dust and fumes sneak up on a tired chemist fast. I once trusted a small room fan alone — my cough lasted days. Chemical fume hoods mix fresh air with plenty of movement, catching clouds of dust invisible to the eye. OSHA guidelines back this up: forced ventilation cuts down inhalation risks. Without proper airflow, your body acts as the filter, not the machine. Running the hood fan at the right level and closing the sash when not inside helps protect not just you, but everyone around.

Education — The Real Lifesaver

Nobody walks into a lab knowing all the tricks that keep them safe. Stories from those who’ve worked with dangerous substances teach more than rulebooks. Group safety discussions, regular drills, and refresher demos all keep good habits strong. The more people share what’s worked or failed, the easier it gets to spot trouble before it starts. In my own experience, open questions save more lab coats and fingers than any sign taped to the wall. Handling acetaldehyde-2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone may feel routine, but respect for small details keeps accidents rare.

What is the molecular weight and chemical formula of Acetaldehyde-2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazone?

Diving Into the Chemistry

Acetaldehyde-2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone isn’t a term that pops up in everyday chatter. It’s a compound that takes center stage in chemical analysis and, frankly, deserves more recognition for its role. The formula sits as C8H8N4O4. Its molecular weight clocks in at 240.18 g/mol—details that may look dry on paper, but they reveal a lot for anyone working in a chemistry lab or industry setting.

As someone who’s watched research students sweat over organic qualitative analysis, I can firmly say these numbers save a lot of headaches. The full chemical name might be a mouthful, but that’s the price of pinning down molecular details in science. Getting this right helps labs confirm the presence of acetaldehyde in mixtures—crucial for safety checks, quality control, and regulatory compliance.

Why Knowing the Formula and Weight Matters

I’ve had to explain this to newer lab techs more than once: that simple act of forming the dinitrophenylhydrazone derivative helps catch aldehydes that sneak through usual detection. If you’re running tests for food safety or in an industrial chemical plant, spotting trace aldehydes keeps people safe and products clean. The chemical formula isn’t just trivia. It serves as the foundation for calculating how much to mix, how to balance equations, and even how to clean up spills safely.

Tracing the source and amount of this compound helps streamline synthesis and analysis. In pharmaceutical and food safety work, you can’t afford mistakes. Knowing the molecular weight ensures the right quantities enter reactions and helps avoid expensive errors in synthesis. Getting this data wrong can stall a whole batch, or worse, leave toxic byproducts lurking in finished products.

The Human Side: Labs, People, Real Risks

The world of analytical chemistry often runs in the background. The folks using compounds like acetaldehyde-2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone carry a lot of responsibility. This isn’t just pipetting and labeling—these actions keep unseen hazards away from our food tables and medicine cabinets. Mishandling aldehydes, even at low concentrations, leads to real health concerns. Reading a MSDS sheet for these substances reveals the throat and eye irritation, even at low exposures.

During my time shadowing environmental chemists, the precision in reagent preparation always impressed me. Acetaldehyde can show up as a pollutant; reacting it with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine, forming the bright yellow-orange solid hydrazone, makes it measurable and traceable. The distinct color helps chemists spot issues fast. Having the formula and molecular weight clearly posted opens the door to quick calculation and reliable identification.

Improving Outcomes in the Lab

Refining workflow in labs encourages posting clear reference sheets for derivatives like this. Digital reference tools have been a help, yet printed facts remain on cabinet doors in busy spaces. Integrating this essential data into digital laboratory notebooks limits copy errors and boosts reliability. Regular training on safe handling and precise measurement of hydrazone derivatives helps organizations protect both their teams and the public.

Strengthening communication between experienced and new chemists, maybe through short refresher workshops, passes on good habits for precise work. Direct mentorship bridges the gap between rote memory and sharp situational awareness. The seemingly small detail of a molecular weight or formula streamlines not only reaction setup but also entire workflows in labs committed to public safety and product trust.

Acetaldehyde-2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazone
Names
Preferred IUPAC name (E)-2-[(2,4-dinitrophenyl)hydrazinylidene]ethanal
Other names 2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazone of acetaldehyde
Acetaldehyde 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone
Acetaldehyde DNPH derivative
Pronunciation /ˌæsɪˈtæl.dɪˌhaɪd ˌtuːˌfɔːr ˌdaɪˌnaɪ.trəʊˈfiː.nɪl.haɪˈdræz.oʊn/
Identifiers
CAS Number 94-60-0
Beilstein Reference 83421
ChEBI CHEBI:85173
ChEMBL CHEMBL1487232
ChemSpider 171410
DrugBank DB13935
ECHA InfoCard 100.017.331
EC Number 211-273-9
Gmelin Reference 83559
KEGG C02989
MeSH D000068
PubChem CID 10460
RTECS number UC7875000
UNII 38EUGH2YWG
UN number UN3276
Properties
Chemical formula C8H6N4O5
Molar mass 332.21 g/mol
Appearance Yellow to orange crystalline powder
Odor Odorless
Density 1.439 g/cm³
Solubility in water slightly soluble
log P 1.67
Acidity (pKa) 11.13
Basicity (pKb) pKb ≈ 11.32
Magnetic susceptibility (χ) -70.7×10^-6 cm³/mol
Refractive index (nD) 1.715
Viscosity Viscous liquid
Dipole moment 3.61 D
Thermochemistry
Std molar entropy (S⦵298) 333.8 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹
Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298) −80 kJ mol⁻¹
Std enthalpy of combustion (ΔcH⦵298) -1103 kJ mol^-1
Pharmacology
ATC code V04CX90
Hazards
Main hazards Harmful if swallowed. Causes serious eye irritation. May cause respiratory irritation.
GHS labelling GHS02, GHS07
Pictograms GHS07, GHS02
Signal word Warning
Hazard statements Harmful if swallowed. Causes skin irritation. Causes serious eye irritation. May cause respiratory irritation. May cause cancer.
Precautionary statements Precautionary statements: "P261, P280, P304+P340, P312
NFPA 704 (fire diamond) NFPA 704: 1-2-0
Flash point 155 °C
Autoignition temperature “170 °C (338 °F; 443 K)”
Lethal dose or concentration LD50 (oral, rat): 500 mg/kg
LD50 (median dose) LD50 (median dose): 500 mg/kg (Rat, oral)
NIOSH 2099
PEL (Permissible) Not established
REL (Recommended) 4°C
Related compounds
Related compounds 2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazine
Acetaldehyde
Hydrazones
2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazones
Formaldehyde 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone