CHEMISTRY OF EXPLOSIVES

Nitration represents a major chemical reaction that plays an essential role in the production of most explosives. A variety of nitrocompounds ranging from C-nitrocompounds such as TNT to N-nitrocompounds such as RDX and HMX to 0-nitrocompounds such as trinitroglycerol are considered among the most energetic compounds. The preparation of these explosives is thus of substantial importance [8]. 

Nitration is an electrophilic reaction of the addition of a nitro group to an organic compound with a nitrating agent. The introduction of the nitro group can take place on a carbon atom (C-nitration), oxygen atom (0-nitration), or nitrogen atom (N-nitration) [4, 8]. 

The nitrating agents for the manufacture of explosives via C-nitration, 0-nitration, or N-nitration are mixtures of nitric and sulfuric acids, except for RDX and HMX where a mixture of nitric acid and ammonium nitrate is used [4]. 

C-Nitration. Picric acid, 2, can be synthesized by reacting phenol in sulfuric acid and then adding nitric acid (Eq. 12.1) [4]. 

Tetryl, 3, can be prepared by reacting dimethylaniline [C6HgN(CH3)2] with sulfuric acid followed by the addition of a mixture of nitric acid and sulfuric acid (Eq. 12.2) [4], 

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Insensitive Energetic Materials - Particles, Crystals, Composites, Eds. Teipel, U., Herrmann, M., (Symposium Proceeding), Fraunhofer IRB Verlag, 2007, Stuttgart, Germany, ISBN 978-3-8167-7328-3 Organic Chemistry of Explosives... 

Akhavan, J., The Chemistry of Explosives, Royal Society of Chemistry, Letchworth, U.K., 1998. 

Agarwal, J.P. and Hodgson, R.D., Organic Chemistry of Explosives. New York Wiley, 2007. 

Organic Chemistry of Explosives J. P. Agrawal and R. D. Hodgson 2007 John Wiley Sons, Ltd. 

Organic Chemistry of Explosives 2007 John Wiley Sons, Ltd. 

Chapter 2 What To Detect Serving as a refresher in the chemistry of explosives, this chapter provides a basis for considering what molecules we may need to seek. 

Chapter 3, Dangerous Innovations This chapter continues the discussion of the chemistry of explosives by discussing some nontraditional explosives that are now being encountered in connection with various terrorist and paramilitary groups. It may become necessary to include these chemicals within our universe of compounds being sought, especially in improvised explosive devices (IEDs). 

Chemistry and Physics of Explosive Phenomena. See Series of Progress Repts entitled "The Physics and Chemistry of Explosives Phenomena , compiled by USBurMines, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, OrdnProject TA 3-5001, Jan 1948 to Dec 1953... 

Refs 1) C.M. Mason et al, "The Physics and Chemistry of Explosive Phenomena , USBurMines, Pittsburgh, Pa, ProgressRepts April-June 1951, Contract NA onr 29-48,... 

Physics and Chemistry of Explosives Phenomena , which includes, among other items,determinations of initiation of detonation, electrical effects and luminosity accompanying detonation, detonation velocity and temperature of detonation... 

The Physics and Chemistry of Explosive Phenomena , USBurMines, Pittsburgh, Pa, ProgrRept Oct-Dec 1950 Contract NA onr 29-42, Project NR 053 047 [in the course of tests for detn of temp of deton by radiation method, observations were made on the propagation of the deton wave thru various thicknesses of the non-expl substances, of density ca 1.9, placed betw expl pellets ... 

Mason F.C. Gibson, "The Physics and Chemistry of Explosive Phenomena , USBur-MinesProgressRepts from Jan 1, 1948 to Dec.31, 1950, Contract NA on r 29-48 Project... 

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