Other Explosive Precursors

Phenol was needed to produce picric acid, an explosive relied upon primarily by our Prench allies. Sulfuric acid was needed to produce powder. Both hazardous materials were produced in large quantities. 

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Primary nitramines have acidic protons and are able to undergo condensation reactions to form functionalized nitramines. These reactions are discussed in Section 5.13 because the products have potential application as energetic polymer precursors or find use for the synthesis of other explosives. 

Preussmann, R., Angew. Chem., 1963, 75, 642 Removal of the solvent carbon tetrachloride (in which nitrosation had been effected) at ambient, rather than reduced, pressure caused a violent explosion at the end of distillation. Lowest possible temperatures should be maintained in the preparation. Other precursors seem more suitable as sources of diazomethane. 

Because Cd(CH3)2 is extremely toxic, pyrophoric, and explosive at elevated temperatures, other Cd sources have been used. CdO appears to be an interesting precursor. CdO powder dissolves in TOPO and HPA (hypophosphorous acid) or TDPA (tetradecylphosphonic acid) at about 300 °C giving a colorless homogeneous solution. By introducing selenium or tellurium dissolved in TOP, nanocrystals grow to the desired size. 

Primary or secondary amines react with sodium or calcium hypochlorites to give TV-chloroamines, some of which are explosive when isolated. Application of other chlorinating agents to amines or their precursors may also produce the same result under appropriate conditions. 

Platelets originate by budding off from multinucleate precursor cells, the megakaryocytes. As the smallest formed element of blood (dia. 1 -4 pm), they can be activated by various stimuli. Activation entails an alteration in shape and secretion of a series of highly active substances, including serotonin, platelet activating factor (PAF), ADP, and thromboxane A2. In turn, all of these can activate other platelets, which explains the explosive nature of the process. 

In Section II of Macek s paper (Ref 13, pp 44-50) is discussed the "Thermal Explosion Theory . It will be discussed in our writeup separately. Section III contains "Transition from Deflagration to Detonation , which includes the "Precursor Shock in Solids (pp 50-2) discussed in our write-up separately, and other items. Section IV contains a brief description of Gap Test (pp 56-8) and of Impact Test (pp 58-60)... 

Pyrylium salts are useful precursors to other heterocyclic compounds such as furanes and pyridines. The perchlorates usually used are explosive, and tetrafluoro-borates are formed only in low yield. Sulfoacetates are nonexplosive if necessary for further synthetic uses, they can be converted into perchlorates.1... 

As might be expected, it is violently explosive, as is the precursor triazidoarsine any other salts of this hitherto unknown arsonium ion may also prove so. 

The title compound is produced by treatment of 2-iodylbenzoic acid with acetic anhydride in acetic acid, and has found wide application as a mild oxidant ( Dess-Martin period-inane ) for ly and 2y alcohols. Although it appears not to be sensitive to impact, unlike the precursor acid, both explode violently when heated under confinement. The oxidant, on treatment with water is hydrolysed back to the explosive 2-iodylbenzoic acid. Forethought and caution are advised before using these explosive materials on any scale of working. See 2-Iodylbenzoic acid See other IODINE COMPOUNDS, OXIDANTS... 

Lerom, M. W. et ai, J. Chem. Eng. Data, 1974, 19, 389—392 Several difluoroaminopolynitro derivatives of stilbene, biphenyl, terphenyl and their precursors are explosives, sensitive to initiation by impact, shock, friction or rapid heating. See other DIFLUOROAMINO COMPOUNDS... 

Ammonia is used for the manufacture of fertilizers or for the manufacture of other nitrogen-containing compounds used for fertilizer or, to a lesser extent, explosives, plastics, and fibers. Explosives made from ammonia are ammonium nitrate and (via nitric acid) the nitroglycerin used in dynamite. Plastics include (via urea) urea-formaldehyde and melamine-formaldehyde resins. Some ammonia ends up in fibers, since it is used to make hexameth-ylenediamine (HMDA), adipic acid, or caprolactam, all nylon precursors. 

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