Antimony explosive

The explosive antimony, prepd either electro lyrically or by other methods, is described below under the title Antimony, Explosive. ... 

Yellow forms of arsenic and antimony (the latter very unstable) have been described. These are presumably the nonmetallic modifications of these elements, analogous to white phosphorus, and also consisting of discrete molecules (tetrahedral quartets) in the solid state. The grey or metallic forms of arsenic and antimony are the most stable. They are far denser than the yellow forms, are insoluble in organic solvents, and have appreciable electrical conductivities. Black amorphous forms of arsenic and antimony are also known, and an additional allotrope of antimony, explosive (but always impure), has been described. 

In catalytic incineration, there are limitations concerning the effluent streams to be treated. Waste gases with organic compound contents higher than 20% of LET (lower explosion limit) are not suitable, as the heat content released in the oxidation process increases the catalyst bed temperature above 650 °C. This is normally the maximum permissible temperature to which a catalyst bed can be continuously exposed. The problem is solved by dilution-, this method increases the furnace volume and hence the investment and operation costs. Concentrations between 2% and 20% of LET are optimal, The catalytic incinerator is not recommended without prefiltration for waste gases containing particulate matter or liquids which cannot be vaporized. The waste gas must not contain catalyst poisons, such as phosphorus, arsenic, antimony, lead, zinc, mercury, tin, sulfur, or iron oxide.(see Table 1.3.111... 

Antimony Nitride. SbN, mw 135.76, N 10.32%, org cryst, mp 550—750° (decomps exply), bp 750° (subl, decomps). Prepd by heating Sb to a dull redness in a current of N2. Decomps explosively when heated or upon addition of cold w Refs 1) Gmelin, Syst Nr 18, Teil B (1927), 391-2 2) Mellor 8 (1928), 124... 

Perkins Explosive. A primary mixt patented in Engl in 1870 contg amorph P, metallic sulfides (such as antimony sulfide), and K chlorate or nitrate... 

There is thought to be an explosive form of arsenic, possibly including a combination of unknown structure. This fomri is obtained when sulphuric acid, which is strongly charged with arsenic, is in contact with an iron container protected by a lead coating. It detonates on friction or impact. An analysis attempt did not indicate the presence of hydrogen. This case is similar to that of antimony. 

Powdered antimony reacts explosively when it is carefully mixed with alkaline nitrates alkaline antimonates are formed. The same happens with molten ammonium nitrate, which combusts violently when it is ground up with potassium permanganate (to be compared with arsenic on p.210). 

Potassium reacts explosively with all antimony trihalides except trifluoride, as with tin halides (p.223). 

The electrolysis of antimony trihalides forms an antimide, which is considered as explosive (an analysis shows that it contains halogen). But it is not known if it is the same as the one cited in the tables of enthalpy of formation, unless the explosive antimony mentioned in the tables is formed by a method which is similar to explosive arsenic. The documentation is confusing on this point. 

Meyer, E. M. et al, Biochem. Pharm., 1981, 30, 3003 -3005 An attempt to prepare this antimony analogue of choline by heating trimethylstibine with iodoethanol in bis(2-methoxyethyl) ether in a sealed tube at 150°C led to an explosion. 

This antimony analogue of azobenzene ignites in air, and is oxidised explosively by nitric acid. 

Interaction with copper(II) sulfide is explosive, and with antimony(II) sulfide, arsenic(III) sulfide, tin(II) sulfide and tin(IV) sulfide, incandescent. 

The recorded explosions of chloric acid have been attributed to the formation of explosive compounds with antimony, bismuth and iron (including hydrogen also in the latter case). Organic materials (and ammonia) are violently oxidised. 

Nicholson, D. G. el al., J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 1935, 57, 817 Attempts to dissolve bismuth and its alloys in hot perchloric acid carry a very high risk of explosion. At 110°C a dark brown coating is formed, and if left in contact with the acid (hot or cold), explosion occurs sooner or later. The same is true of antimony and its tervalent compounds. 

Many metal sulfides when mixed intimately with metal halogenates form heat-, impact- or friction-sensitive explosive mixtures [1], That with antimony trisulfide can be initiated by a spark [2] and with silver sulfide a violent reaction occurs on heating [3], For the preparation of oxygen mixture , antimony trisulfide was used in error instead of manganese dioxide, and dining grinding, the mixture of sulfide and chlorate exploded very violently [4],... 

Antimony trichloride-catalysed chlorination of the silane to chlorotrimethylsilane in absence of diluent was explosive at 100°C, but controllable at below 30°C. 

The heat sensitivity (above) may explain the explosions which occur on contact of many readily oxidisable materials with this powerful oxidant. Such materials include ammonia, potassium arsenic, antimony sulfur, charcoal (adsorptive... 

Gillespie, R. J. et al., J. Chem. Soc., Chem. Comm., 1977, 595-597 Although stable at below -40°C in absence of moisture, it will explode if warmed rapidly (>20°C/h). Explosive decomposition of the solid difluoride oxide at -196°C occurs on contact with mercury, or antimony pentafluoride or arsenic pentafluoride [1], The fluoride explodes at about 0°C, and also in contact with arsenic pentafluoride in absence of hydrogen fluoride at -78°C [2],... 

Bromates, chlorates or iodates ignite in contact with phosphonium iodide at ambient temperature if dry, or in presence of acid to generate bromic acid, etc. Ignition also occurs with nitric acid, and reaction with dry silver nitrate is very exothermic. Interaction with antimony pentachloride at ambient temperature proceeds explosively. 

Many of the following powdered metals reacted violently or explosively with fused ammonium nitrate below 200°C aluminium, antimony, bismuth, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, lead, magnesium, manganese, nickel, tin, zinc also brass and stainless steel. Mixtures with aluminium powder are used as the commercial explosive Ammonal. Sodium reacts to form the yellow explosive compound sodium hyponitrite, and presence of potassium sensitises the nitrate to shock [1], Shock-sensitivity of mixtures of ammonium nitrate and powdered metals decreases in the order titanium, tin, aluminium, magnesium, zinc, lead, iron, antimony, copper [2], Contact between molten aluminium and the salt is violently explosive, apparently there is a considerable risk of this happening in scrap remelting [3],... 

MRH Bromine 1.21/91, carbon tetrachloride 2.89/83, chlorine 3.85/82 Silane burns in contact with bromine, chlorine or covalent chlorides (carbonyl chloride, antimony pentachloride, tin(IV) chloride, etc.) [1], Extreme caution is necessary when handling silane in systems with halogenated compounds, as a trace of free halogen may cause violent explosions [2],... 

Iodine and antimony powder react so violently as to cause ignition or explosion of the bulk of the mixture. A mixture of potassium and iodine explodes weakly on impact, while potassium ignites in contact with molten iodine [1], Interaction of molten iodine with titanium above 113°C under vacuum to form titanium tetraiodide is highly exothermic and sparks are produced. The preparative technique described permits the progressive reaction of 0.5 g portions of the titanium powder charged (7.2 g) to minimise hazard [2],... 

Intimate mixtures with carbon or phosphorus may ignite or explode [1]. Other readily oxidisable materials (probably antimony, arsenic, boron, sulfur, selenium) also form explosive mixtures [2], Use of finely powdered carbon, rather than the granular carbon specified for a reagent, mixed with sodium peroxide caused an explosion [3],... 

Electrolysis of acidified, stirred antimony halide solutions at low current density produces explosive antimony which contains substantial amounts of halogen. 

Antimony ignites in fluorine, chlorine and bromine. With iodine, ignition or explosion may occur if quantities are large enough. 

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