Low-toxicity DNBP wood preservatives

Low and very low toxicity single compound preservatives of both excellent insecticidal and fungicidal activity for interior, extrior and ground-contact applications are presented. These are ester derivatives of alkyl dinitrophenols, in particular of 2-sec-butyl-4,6-dinitrophenol (DNBP) and 2-sec-octyl-4,6-dinitrophenol. These esters, of much lower toxicity than DNBP impart to the treated timber comparable long term durability at much lower mammalian toxicity. These esters are shown in hydrolise to DNBP in the timber, explaining its long term durability.