Nitroglycerine reactivity

Of the eight nonmetals listed in Table 21.1, nitrogen is by far the least reactive. Its inertness is due to the strength of the triple bond holding the N2 molecule together (B.E. N=N = 941 kj/mol). This same factor explains why virtually all chemical explosives are compounds of nitrogen (e.g., nitroglycerin, trinitrotoluene, ammonium nitrate,... 

C04-0138. Compounds that undergo explosions typically produce large quantities of hot gases from much smaller volumes of highly reactive solids or liquids. Balance the reaction for the decomposition of nitroglycerine, a violent explosive C3 H5 N3 Og(/) N2(g) + C02(g) + H2 0(g) + 02(g)... 

Vacuum stability tests at 100° and 120°C show PETN to be more stable than nitrocellulose or nitroglycerin at elevated temperatures but distinctly less stable than RDX, tetryl, or TNT. PETN is quite stable at 100°C and can withstand heating at this temperature for 100 hours without significant deterioration. In the LLNL reactivity test 0.10 to 0.14 cubic centimeters of gas are... 

Ammonium picrate is of a very high order of stability. In the lOO C heat test, 0.1 percent is lost in the first 48 hours and 0.1 percent in the second 48 hours. No explosions occur in 100 hours. In the 130"C heat test there is no acidity or explosion in 300 minutes. The vacuum stability test at 100°C produced 0.2 cubic centimeters of gas in 40 hours, at 120°C, 0.4 cubic centimeters of gas are produced, and at 150°C, 0.4 cubic centimeters of gas are produced. The material has been found to withstand storage at ordinary temperatures for a period of twenty years with no evidence of deterioration, and at 50°C for more than five years without marked deterioration. Moisture increases ammonium picrate s reactivity with metals such as lead, potassium, copper, and iron. The compounds produced are extremely sensitive. This reactivity requires that all projectiles loaded with this material have contact areas covered with acid proof paint. At 100°C ammonium picrate is compatible with TNT or black powder but undergoes reactions with nitroglycerin, nitrocellulose, PETN, or tetryl. Figure 8-42 shows the DTA curve for ammonium picrate. 

K. Sydow, A. Daiber, M. Oelze, Z. Chen, M. August, M. Wendt, V. Ullrich, A. Mnelsch, E. Schulz, J. F. Keaney Jr., J. S. Stamler and T. Muenzel. Central role of mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase and reactive oxygen species in nitroglycerin tolerance and cross-tolerance. J. Clin. Invest. 113, 2004,482—489. 

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