TNT

Trinitrotoluene, or 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene, or TNT (C₆H₂(NO₂)₃CH₃) as an abbreviation, is a yellow colored solid that is used in chemical synthesis and is best known for being an explosive with a detonation velocity of 6,900 m/s.

It was originally invented as a yellow dye, it’s explosive properties only being discovered after 3 decades due to the high temperature needed for it to explode. It is highly insensitive to friction and shock, which makes it a relatively safe explosive. The reaction for its detonation is:

2 C₇H₅N₃O₆ → 3 N₂ + 5 H₂ + 12 CO + 2 C

It produces many gaseous molecules, namely Nitrogen, Hydrogen and Carbon monoxide in this reaction, which is why it is explosive.

Gallery

Chunks of explosive

A chart detailing the possible effects on denotation of a 1 kilogram mass of TNT from varying distances on the human physique and inanimate structures.

An explosion of 100 tonnes of TNT. Note the prominent shockwave and fireball.

500 tonnes of TNT primed for detonation.

Organic Chemistry

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