Tetryl dermatitis

Abstract

Tetryl is converted to methylpicramide, an active dermatitic agent, to the extent of 80% when irradiated with full u.-v. light for 3 hrs. at skin temp. and at pH 5.5. Irradiation for 16 hrs. destroys methylpicramide. The absorption curve of picric acid is different from methylpicramide and the absorption curve of m-hydroxytetryl, which is not dermatitic, makes it possible to recognize its precursor, m-nitrotetryl. Picramide is absent from crude and irradiated tetryl. Absorption curves were also obtained for 2:4-dinitromonomethyl-aniline, 2:4-dinitrophenylmethyl -nitramine, and 2:4:6 -tri-nitrophenyl-nitramine. None of these compounds are derived from tetryl by irradiation but 2 :4-dinitromonomethyl-aniline is formed from 2 :4-dinitrophenylmethyl-nitramine. Spectrographic evidence indicates a reaction between picramide and crystallized egg albumin.