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Explosive characteristics; TNT preparation

Short answer

Good explosives are stable, safe to handle, easily initiated, have high detonation velocity and brisance, produce large gas volume with high heat, and are cheap. TNT is prepared by stepwise nitration of toluene with HNO₃/H₂SO₄ at increasing temperatures. It is used in shells, bombs, mining, and demolition. A detonator is required because TNT is insensitive and needs a strong shock wave to initiate detonation.

Write the important characteristics of explosives? Give the preparation and uses of TNT. Why does detonator required for the explosion of TNT?

Characteristics of explosives

Important characteristics of a good explosive:

  1. Stable during storage, without decomposing over time.
  2. Safe to handle: not too sensitive to shock, friction or heat.
  3. Easily exploded by a detonator or proper initiation.
  4. High velocity of detonation and brisance (shattering power).
  5. Large volume of gas released per unit mass, with high heat of explosion.
  6. Gives little smoke and no poisonous fumes (for use in mines).
  7. Cheap, easy to make from available raw materials, and non-hygroscopic.

Preparation of TNT (2,4,6-trinitrotoluene)

TNT is made by the stepwise nitration of toluene with a mixture of conc. HNO₃ and conc. H₂SO₄ (H₂SO₄ is a dehydrating agent, giving NO₂⁺). Toluene itself is obtained from benzene by Friedel–Crafts methylation (benzene + CH₃Cl, anhydrous AlCl₃).

C₆H₆ + CH₃Cl --AlCl₃--> C₆H₅CH₃ + HCl            (toluene)
C₆H₅CH₃ --HNO₃/H₂SO₄, 30°C-->  mononitrotoluene
        --HNO₃/H₂SO₄, 60°C-->  dinitrotoluene
        --HNO₃/oleum, 100-110°C--> 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene

Structure of TNT (ring carbons C1 to C6)
           CH₃
            |
       .----C1---.
 O₂N--C2         C6--NO₂
       |         |
       C3        C5
       '---C4----'
            |
           NO₂

The product is washed with water and dilute sodium carbonate and recrystallised from alcohol. It is a pale yellow crystalline solid, m.p. 81 °C. Decomposition: 2C₇H₅N₃O₆ → 3N₂ + 5H₂O + 7CO + 7C

Uses

  • Filling for shells, bombs, grenades, torpedoes and mines.
  • Mining, quarrying and demolition (alone or as amatol/ammonal mixtures).
  • Raw material for other explosives and dyes.

Why a detonator is required

TNT is very stable and insensitive to heat, shock and friction. If lit, it burns quietly with a sooty flame and does not explode. The activation energy for its explosive decomposition is high, so a strong shock wave is needed to start it. A detonator (containing a sensitive primary explosive such as lead azide or mercury fulminate) gives this initial shock, which starts the detonation of the whole mass.

✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)

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