The starting material, dinitrodiphenylamine, is obtained from the reaction of aniline, dinitrochlorobenzene, and soda ash.

[1] A most toxic and poisonous explosive, it attacks the skin, causing blisters which resemble burns.

Dust from HND is injurious to the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, and lungs.

[2] On 12 May 2022, construction of the Bundesautobahn 49 in Germany was halted, after traces of the explosive were found in the excavated material.

The factory had been demolished after World War II, and it was not expected that traces of explosives had remained in the ground.