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Synthesis of TNPht

TNPht, an acronym for trinitrophenetole, is an energetic material with explosive properties similar to TNT, but with increased sensitivity. TNPht requires the shock of an initiating explosive to detonate it, which classifies TNPht as a booster. This material was tested in France during WWI in shells as a bursting charge. The Japanese used it during WWII as a substitute for TNT because they had a shortage of toluene. This synthesis of TNPht in this lab was developed by L. Desvergnes in 1922.


C8H7N3O7
b.p. ? °C mass 257.16 g/mol
m.p. 78 °C CAS# 4732-14-3
den. 1.5 g/mL v.det. 6880 m/s

aethylpikrat
aethyl-[2,4,6-trinitrophenyl]-ather
benzene, 2-ethoxy-1,3,5-trinitro-
1-ethoxy-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene
2-ethoxy-1,3,5-trinitrobenzene
ethyl picrate
ethyl 2,4,6-trinitrophenyl ether
keineyaku
keyneyaku
NSC 106298
phenetole, 2,4,6-trinitro- (6CI,7CI,8CI)
picryl ethyl ether
pikrinsaureaethylather
2,4,6-trinitrophenetole
trinitrophenetole


TNPht

TNPht

Dissolve 53 g of 2,4-dinitrophenetole in 95 mL of 95-98% sulfuric acid in a 500-mL beaker while stirring. Add 62% nitric acid so that the temperature rises rapidly to 30 °C. Continue the addition, while maintaining the temperature between 30-40 °C by cooling with a salt-ice bath, until a total of 30 mL of nitric acid has been added. Pour the resulting yellow slurry into about 1500 mL of cold water, filter to collect the crystals, wash the crystals with cold water, and dry. There should be about 61.8 g of product, or 96% of the theoretical yield. You will need a graduated cylinder for measuring liquids, a stirring rod or magnetic stirrer for mixing, and a thermometer to monitor the temperature.

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