Everything about Trinitrotoluene totally explained
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Trinitrotoluene (
TNT) is a
chemical compound with the formula C
6H
2(NO
2)
3CH
3. This yellow-coloured solid is a
reagent (reactant) in chemistry but is best known as a useful
explosive material with convenient handling properties. The explosive yield of TNT is considered the
standard measure of strength of
bombs and other
explosives. In chemistry, TNT is used to generate
charge transfer salts.
Preparation
TNT is synthesized in a three-step process. First,
toluene is nitrated with a mixture of
sulfuric and
nitric acid to produce mono-nitrotoluene or MNT. The MNT is then nitrated to
dinitrotoluene or DNT. In the final step, the DNT is nitrated to trinitrotoluene or TNT. The acids used in the manufacture of TNT are recycled and reused.
Applications
TNT is one of the most commonly used explosives for military and industrial applications. It is valued because of its insensitivity to shock and friction, which reduces the risk of accidental
detonation. TNT melts at 80 °C (176 °F), far below the temperature at which it'll spontaneously detonate, allowing it to be poured as well as safely combined with other explosives. TNT neither absorbs nor dissolves in water, which allows it to be used effectively in wet environments. Additionally, it's relatively stable when compared to other high explosives.
Although blocks of TNT are available in various sizes (eg 250 g, 500 g, 1,000 g and even 20 kg), it's more commonly encountered in
synergistic explosive blends comprising a variable percentage of TNT plus other ingredients. Examples of explosive blends containing TNT include:
Explosive character
It is a common
misconception that TNT and
dynamite are the same, or that dynamite contains TNT. In fact, whereas TNT is a specific chemical compound, dynamite is an absorbent mixture soaked in
nitroglycerin that's compressed into a cylindrical shape and wrapped in paper.
Upon
detonation, TNT decomposes as follows:
» 2 C
7H
5N
3O
6 → 3 N
2 + 5 H
2O + 7 CO + 7 C
The reaction is
exothermic but has a high
activation energy. Because of the production of
carbon, TNT explosions have a sooty appearance.
TNT used to be the reference point for the
Figure of Insensitivity (exactly 100 by definition), but the reference point is now the more sensitive (or less insensitive)
RDX which is deemed to have a FofI of exactly 80.
History
TNT was first prepared in 1863 by
German chemist Joseph Wilbrand and originally used as a yellow dye. Its potential as an explosive wasn't appreciated for several years mainly because it was so difficult to detonate and because it was less powerful than alternatives. TNT can be safely poured when liquid into shell cases, and is so insensitive that in 1910, it was exempted from the UK's
Explosives Act 1875 and wasn't considered an explosive for the purposes of manufacture and storage.
The German armed forces adopted it as a filling for
artillery shells in 1902. TNT-filled armour-piercing shells would explode after they'd penetrated the armour of British
capital ships, whereas the British
lyddite-filled shells tended to explode upon striking armour, thus expending much of their energy outside the ship. The British started replacing lyddite with TNT in 1907. TNT is still widely used by the United States military and construction companies around the world. The majority of TNT currently used by the US military is manufactured by
Radford Army Ammunition Plant near
Radford, Virginia.
Safety and toxicity
TNT is poisonous, and
skin contact can cause skin irritation, causing the skin to turn a bright yellow-orange color. During the
First World War, munition workers who handled the chemical found that their skin turned bright yellow, which resulted in their acquiring the nickname "canary girls" or simply "canaries."
People exposed to TNT over a prolonged period tend to experience
anemia and abnormal
liver functions.
Blood and liver effects,
spleen enlargement and other harmful effects on the
immune system have also been found in animals that ingested or breathed trinitrotoluene. There is evidence that TNT adversely affects male
fertility, and TNT is listed as a possible human
carcinogen. Consumption of TNT produces red
urine through the presence of breakdown products and not blood as sometimes believed.
Some military testing grounds are contaminated with TNT. Wastewater from munitions programs including contamination of surface and
subsurface waters may be colored pink because of the presence of TNT. Such contamination, called "
pink water", may be difficult and expensive to
remedy.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Trinitrotoluene'.
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