It is extremely toxic to humans and was previously used as a herbicide and insecticide.

The resulting disulfonate is then treated with nitric acid to give DNOC.

A variety of related derivatives are known including those where the methyl group is replaced by sec-butyl (dinoseb), tert-butyl (dinoterb), and 1-methylheptyl (dinocap).

[3] DNOC is an uncoupler, which means that it interferes with adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production,[4][5] making it extremely toxic to humans.

[6] Symptoms of dinitro-ortho-cresol poisoning, due to ingestion or other forms of exposure, include confusion, fever, headache, shortness of breath, and sweating.