2,4-Dinitrophenol

2,4-Dinitrophenol (2,4-DNP) is an inhibitor of ATP production in cells containing mitochondria. 2,4-DNP uncouples oxidative phosphorylation by carrying protons across the mitochondrial membrane, which leads to a rapid consumption of energy without generation of ATP. 2,4-DNP has been used commercially to make dyes, organic chemicals, photographic developing agents, explosives, herbicides and wood preservatives. In biochemistry research, 2,4-DNP is often used to explore membrane transport processes.