It is used as an explosive and as a reagent to detect and characterize aldehydes and ketones.

It can be also prepared by the electrophilic aromatic substitution of aniline.

It is due to the electron-withdrawing nature of the nitro groups.

2,4-Dinitroaniline is usually used as an explosive, although the material possess a negative oxygen balance and can be improved by combining it with an oxidizer such as ammonium nitrate.

However, the main danger is that it is explosive and flammable with heat or friction encouraging these properties.