Trinitrotoluene manufacture

Jr, C.W. Randall P.H. King, Biological Treatability of Trinitrotoluene Manufacturing Waste-water , JWaterPollControlFed 46 [3], 485-97 (1974) 20) R.K. Andren, R. McDonnell,... 

Ammonia was also used during WWII in the USA for the neutralization of residual acidity in crude TNT prior to its purification by sel-litefaqueous soln of Na sulfite). Use of ammonia in lieu of soda ash as a neutralizer produced a lighter colored TNT(See Trinitrotoluene, Manufacture of)... 

It occurs in many natural glycosides. It can be prepared by fusing resorcinol with NaOH and is manufactured from trinitrotoluene via trinitrobenzoic acid and triaminobenzene. 

Organic Reactions. Nitric acid is used extensively ia iadustry to nitrate aHphatic and aromatic compounds (21). In many iastances nitration requires the use of sulfuric acid as a dehydrating agent or catalyst the extent of nitration achieved depends on the concentration of nitric and sulfuric acids used. This is of iadustrial importance ia the manufacture of nitrobenzene and dinitrotoluene, which are iatermediates ia the manufacture of polyurethanes. Trinitrotoluene (TNT) is an explosive. Various isomers of mononitrotoluene are used to make optical brighteners, herbicides (qv), and iasecticides. Such nitrations are generally attributed to the presence of the nitronium ion, NO2, the concentration of which iacreases with acid strength (see Nitration). 

Industrial. Nitric acid is itself the starting material for ammonium nitrate, nitroglycerin [55-63-0] trinitrotoluene [118-96-7]., nitroceUulose [9004-70-0] and other nitrogen compounds used in the manufacture of explosives (see Explosives and propellants). Nitric acid is made by oxidation of ammonia to nitrogen dioxide [10102-44-0] which is subsequently absorbed by water. 

Trinitrotoluene DNT Tetryl Primer materials < s Nitrocellulose j Nitroglycerin 1 j NC-based propellants j Ball Powder j 0> > o PL. -o ra 55 Acid manufacture J Filling of warheads Mfg of extruded rocket grains j Mfg of cast rocket grains... 

The most famous explosive is trinitrotoluene, or TNT, which was mainly used in warfare in both world wars, as well as in mining and building. TNT is still widely used and produced. Most of the current problems with TNT and nitroarene compounds are found in sites where ammunition was handled, stored or manufactured. TNT is a persistent contaminant, but its microbial degradation is possible both aerobically [63] and anaerobically [64]. 

Compare with this the greater susceptibility to substitution caused by OH and NH2 and even by the methyl group in toluene. Trinitrotoluene is manufactured on a large scale as an explosive. 

The most serious contamination was recognized as a result of production as well as use of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), mainly because of vast amount of water necessary for manufacturing of this compound made it necessary to locate the factories near natural sources of water - mostly rivers. The environment around large rivers is usually characterized by sand-rich soil that allows easy seepage of rainwater. NACs are therefore... 

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... 

DNB is often made first. Both 1,3-DNB and 1,3,5-TNB are formed as by-products when another explosive, trinitrotoluene (TNT), is made. 1,3-DNB is also used to make certain dyes, as an intermediate in the synthesis of organic chemicals, and in the plastics manufacturing industry. 1,3,5-TNB is used in making rubber. Other names for 1,3-DNB include m-dinitrobenzene,... 

Spanggord RJ, Gibson BW, Keck RG, et al. 1982a. Effluent analysis of wastewater generated in the manufacture of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene Characterization study. Environmental Science and Technology 16 229-232. 

Spanggord RJ, Mortelmans KE, Griffin AF, et al. 1982b. Mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium and structure-activity relationships of wastewater components emanating from the manufacture of trinitrotoluene. Environ Mutagen 4 163-179. 

Woollen BH, Hall Mg, Craig R, et al Trinitrotoluene Assessment of occupational absorption during manufacture of explosives. Br J ltd Med 43 465 73, 1986... 

Around 1902 the Germans and British had experimented with trinitrotoluene [(TNT) (C7H5N306)], first prepared by Wilbrand in 1863. The first detailed study of the preparation of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene was by Beilstein and Kuhlberh in 1870, when they discovered the isomer 2,4,5-trinitrotoluene. Pure 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene was prepared in 1880 by Hepp and its structure established in 1883 by Claus and Becker. The manufacture of TNT began in Germany in 1891 and in 1899 aluminium was mixed with TNT to produce an explosive composition. In 1902, TNT was adopted for use by the German Army replacing picric acid, and in 1912 the US Army also started to use TNT. By 1914, TNT (1.4) became the standard explosive for all armies during World War I. 

Explosives and related compounds have become widely recognized as serious environmental contaminants. Among the nitrosubstituted aromatic compounds causing particular concern are 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (picric acid), and many nitro- and/or amino-substituted aromatics that result from the manufacture and transformation of explosives. The threat posed by the presence of these compounds in soil and water is the result of their toxicity and is compounded by their recalcitrance to biodegradation. 

Trinitrotoluene, in addition to the usual reactions of a nitrated hydrocarbon with alkali to form dangerous explosive materials, has the property that its methyl group in the presence of alkali condenses with aldehydic substances in reactions which produce heat and which may cause fire. Aldehydic substances from the action of nitrating acid on wood are always present where TNT is being manufactured, and alkali of all kinds ought to be excluded rigorously from the premises. 

Secondary explosives, or high explosives, are generally less sensitive to heat and shock than primary explosives and are therefore safer to manufacture, transport, and handle. Most secondary explosives will simply burn rather than explode when ignited in air, and most can be detonated only by the nearby explosion of a primary initiator. Among the most common secondary explosives are nitroglycerin, trinitrotoluene (TNT), pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), and RDX. 

Recent Developments in the Optimization and Control of Nitration in the Continuous Manufacture of Trinitrotoluene , ibid (Feb 1977) 40) WM. Stirrat RM. Rindner, Critical Depth Tests of Bulk TNT Flake Explosive , ARLCD-TR-78003, USA Arm Res Dev Command, Dover, NJ (1978) 41) J.R. 

In the fertilizer industry, it is used to prepare ammonium sulfate, potassium nitrate and urea. It is used to prepare TNT (trinitrotoluene), nitroglycerine and nitrocellulose in the explosives industry. Nitrogen compounds are also used in the manufacture of dyes and medicines. 

Slurry explosives consist of oxidizers (NH4N03 and NaN03), fuels (coals, oils, aluminum, other carbonaceous materials), sensitizers (trinitrotoluene, nitrostarch, and smokeless powder), and water mixed with a gelling agent to form a thick, viscous explosive with excellent water-resistant properties. Slurry explosives may be manufactured as cartridged units, or mixed on site. 

Nitric acid is predominantly used for fertilizer manufacture. It also finds use in the manufacture of adipic acid, nitroglycerin, nitrocellulose, ammonium picrate, trinitrotoluene, nitrobenzene, silver nitrate, and various isocyanates. 

Symmetrical trinitrotoluene (1,3,5-trinitrotoluene,. sym-trinitrotol uenc. TNT) is manufactured by multiple-stage nitration of toluene with a mixture of nitric acid and sulfuric acid. 

The first reaction is run over platinum-rhodium catalysts at around 900°C (1,652°F). In the second and third stages, a mixture of nitric oxide and air circulates through condensers, where it is partially oxidized. The nitrogen dioxide is absorbed in a tower, and nitric acid sinks to the bottom. Nitric acid is mainly used to make ammonium nitrate, most of it for fertilizer although it also goes into the production of explosives. Nitration is used to manufacture explosives such as nitroglycerine and trinitrotoluene (TNT) as well as many important chemical intermediates used in the pharmaceutical and dyestuff industries. 

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