Nitromethane amine sensitization

Evidently the a-H is likely to be involved in the early stages of the decomposition process [16], perhaps moving to an adjoining nitro group to form a nitronic acid tautomer, 4 [35,45,46]. These are known to be reactive and unstable [47], The transfer or loss of a proton to yield a nitronic acid or a nitronate (aci) anion has also been invoked as the initial step in the decompositions of other energetic molecules, e.g. picric acid [35,48] and amine-sensitized nitromethane [49-51]. 

Using ammonium salts as the sensitizer for nitromethane-based explosives appears to be an advantageous approach. First of aU, ammonium salts usually are not very toxic, thus they would not impose toxicity-related health risks on operation staffs. Second, unlike amine sensitizers that often lead to damaged explosive properties, the explosion properties of nitromethane with ammonium salt sensitizers are almost the same as plain nitromethane. Detonation distance of nitromethane with different sensitizers was shown in Table 7.6. 

Nitroparaffins are not explosives as determined by tests approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for shipping classifications. However, nitromethane when sensitized by small amounts of amines can be detonated by a Number 8 blasting cap. Nitromethane is used as a fuel component in ammonium nitrate explosives. 

If this has a AV of -20 cc/mole one can very crudely estimate aci ion concentrations of 10" to 10 M at pressure conditions adequate to initiate homogeneous nitromethane. The aci ion is a very reactive species. It is known to be a good nucleophile, a precursor to fulminic acid, and a facile electron transfer agent. If these very small amounts of an intermediate are kinetically competent to bring about the violent exothermic decomposition of nitromethane it must indeed be very reactive. This is the basis for the arguments related to the amine sensitization of nitromethane [39]. Does one then view the C-H bond in nitromethane as the trigger linkage ... 

Nitroparaffins are not explosives as determined by tests approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for shipping classifications. However, nitromethane when sensitized by small amounts of amines can be detonated by a Number 8 blasting cap. Nitromethane is used as a fuel component in ammonium nitrate explosives. Nitroparaffins are used in diesel fuel to increase power output of engines. Nitropropane is completely miscible in diesel fuel, nitroethane solubility is 18 wt%, and nitromethane is only a 2 wt%. Nitromethane is used as a fuel in racing cars and in model engines. A blend of nitromethane and methanol is said to produce increased power output over regular hydrocarbon fuels. 1-Nitropropane is used as a grinding solvent for the production of aluminum powder because of its ability to displace surface moisture on the aluminum and the solvent aids in the dispersion of the aluminum powder. Nitromethane is used as a metal stabilizer for... 

Explosive solutions of nitromethane in dichloromethane, sensitised by addition of 10-12% of the amine, retained their sensitivity at —50°C [1]. Presence of 0-5% of the triamine considerably increases detonation sensitivity of nitromethane [2],... 

Its chromium salt was proposed as a component up to 3% by wt) of some nitroparaffin-gel compns(such as prepd by blending nitromethane with 10—50% NC) used either as steadily burning rocket fuels or as expls. In the latter case, a sensitizer, eg an org amine, can be added. 

Amines may be added as sensitizers to gelled liq nitroparaffins used in expls or propellants, eg, nitromethane contg 5-75%... 

Another approach would be to add 2-5% of an amine to the nitromethane prior to preparing this mixture. That would not only make the mixture more sensitive, but it too would increase the power output of the mixture. 

BIS ( -AMINOETHYL) AMINE (111-40-0) C4H33N3 Combustible liquid [explosion limits in air (vol %) 1 to 10.0 flash point 216°F/102°C cc autoignition temp 676°F/358°C Fire Rating 1]. An organic base. Ignites spontaneously with cellulose nitrate and possibly with other nitrogen compounds. Silver, cobalt, or chromium compounds may cause explosions. Contact with nitromethane forms a heat-, friction-, and shock-sensitive explosive. Violent... 

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