What is "picramic acid"

n. (context organic compound English) The phenol ''2-amino-4,6-dinitrophenol'' produced by the reduction of picric acid; it is used in the manufacture of azo dyes

Picramic acid, also known as 2-amino-4,6-dinitrophenol, is an acid obtained by neutralizing an alcoholic solution of picric acid with ammonium hydroxide. Hydrogen sulfide is then added to the resulting solution, which turns red, yielding sulfur and red crystals. These are the ammonium salts of picramic acid, from which it can be extracted using acetic acid.

Picramic acid is explosive and very toxic. It has a bitter taste.