2.4.6- Trinitroanisole manufacture

Trinitrobenzene is present in crude TNT manufactured by mixed acid nitration and results from methyl group oxidation followed by decarboxylation." In fact, a convenient method for the synthesis of 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene involves oxidation of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene with a solution of sodium dichromate in sulfuric acid, followed by decarboxylation of the resulting 2,4,6-trinitrobenzoic acid in boiling water." 1,3,5-Trinitrobenzene is prepared from 2,4,6-trinitro-m-xylene by a similar route." 2,4,6-Trinitroanisole can be prepared from the... 

In Japan explosive consisting of 60% of trinitroanisole and 40% of ammonium nitrate was manufactured and used for filling bombs. 

Trinitrophenetol or ethyl picrate, m.p. 78°, is prepared by the same methods as trinitroanisol. The explosive properties of the two substances have been studied by Desparmets and Calinaud, and by Desvergnes,72 who has reported the results of the earlier workers together with data of his own and discussions of methods of manufacture and of the explosive properties of mixtures with picric acid, ammonium nitrate, etc. Drop test with a 5-kilogram weight were as follows ... 

During the 1914-1918 War trinitroanisole was manufactured in Germany under the names of Nitrolit, Trinol and An. It was used alone or in admixture with ammonium nitrate, hexyl, or hexanitrodiphenyl sulphide, for filling high explosive shells and for submarine and land mines. Eventually it had to take the place of TNT. 

In France trinitroanisole was made use of only on file semi-commercial scale, in mixtures with picric acid or with ammonium or sodium nitrate for filling bombs. During World War II trinitroanisole was manufactured in Japan for tiling armour piercing shells. 

Similarly trinitrophenetole was first obtained by file direct nitration of phenetole, but at present this method is not used, chlorodinitrobenzene being a starting material. Trinitrophenetole is less important then trinitroanisole. Its manufacture never developed beyond the semi-commercial scale. Similarly other picric acid ethers, as for example nitro derivatives of phenyl ether, have not found any practical use. 

In a Japanese factory at Maizuru a two stage process was used for the manufacture of trinitroanisole, namely alcoholysis of l-chloro-2,4-dinitroberuene to 2,4-dinitroanisole and subsequently nitration of di- to tri-nitroanisole. 

CHAPTER 10 THE PREPERATION OF AMINO NITRO BENZENES toluene, and the mixture treated with ammonia gas. An autoclave is used in the reaction between the 3,5-dichloro-2,4,6-trinitroanisole and ammonia. An autoclave is a special laboratory machine, which is widely available but expensive. Commercial Industrial note For related, or similar information, see Application No. 534,896, June 8, 1990, by The United States of America, to Donald G. Ott, Los Alamos, NM, Theodore M. Benziger, Santa Fe, NM. Part or parts of this laboratory process may be protected by international, and/or commercial/industrial processes. Before using this process to legally manufacture the mentioned explosive, with intent to sell, consult any protected commercial or industrial processes related to, similar to, or additional to, the process discussed in this procedure. This process may be used to legally prepare the mentioned explosive for laboratory, educational, or research purposes. 

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