Nitrocompounds, preparation 5-nitration

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]. 

Methods for Preparing Energetic Nitrocompounds Nitration with Superacid Systems, Nitronium Salts, and Related Complexes George A. Olah... 

Schonbein showed in 1848 that cellulose treated with nitric acid in the presence of sulphuric acid was converted to nitrate esters. These are sometimes called nitrocellulose. This is a misnomer because they contain C—O—N bonds rather than the C—N bonds found in true nitrocompounds. During preparation... 

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