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'''Tetryl''' ([[carbon|C]]<sub>7</sub>[[Hydrogen|H]]<sub>5</sub>[[Nitrogen|N]]<sub>5</sub>[[Oxygen|O]]<sub>8</sub>) is a sensitive [[explosive]] compound used to make [[detonator]]s and [[explosive booster]] charges.
'''2,4,6-trinitrophenylmethylnitramine''' commonly refered to as '''Tetryl''' ([[carbon|C]]<sub>7</sub>[[Hydrogen|H]]<sub>5</sub>[[Nitrogen|N]]<sub>5</sub>[[Oxygen|O]]<sub>8</sub>) is a sensitive [[explosive]] compound used to make [[detonator]]s and [[explosive booster]] charges.


Tetryl is a nitramine booster explosive, though the use has been largely superseded by RDX. Tetryl is sensitive secondary high explosive used as a booster, a small charge placed next to the detonator in order to propagate the detonation into the main charge. While it is commonly known as Tetryl it is in fact Trinitrophenylmethylnitramine (derivative of Benzene). This is a standard booster explosive. Tetryl is a fine yellow crystalline material. When tetryl is heated, it first melts, then decomposes and explodes. It burns readily and is more easily detonated than explosive D. <ref>http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/explosives-booster.htm</ref>
Tetryl is an odorless yellow crystalline solid that is not found naturally in the environment. Under certain conditions, tetryl can exist as dust in air. It is slightly soluble in water and in other liquids. It is essentially TNT with an added nitrogen atom and [[nitro compound|nitro group]].

It is a yellow crystalline solid powder material, practically insoluble in water but soluble in Acetone, Benzene and other solvents. It burns readily and is more easily detonated than [[TNT]] or [[Ammonium Picrate]] (Explosive D), being about as sensitive as [[Picric Acid]]. It is detonated by friction, shock, or spark . It remains stable at all temperatures which may be encountered in storage. It is generally used in the form of pressed pellets, and has been approved as the standard bursting charge for small-caliber projectiles, since it gives much better fragmentation than TNT. It also has greater shattering ability than any other military high explosive, and must be properly protected from bullet fire . Its rate of detonation is 23,600-23,900 feet per second. Tetryl is the basis for the service Tetryl [[blasting caps]] necessary for positive detonation of TNT. A mixture of [[Fulminate of Mercury]] and [[Potassium Chlorate]] is included in the cap to insure detonation of Tetryl.<ref>http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/explosives-booster.htm</ref>

The most toxic ordnance compounds, tetryl and 1,3,5-TNB, are also the most degradable. Therefore these chemicals are expected to be short-lived in nature, and environmental impacts would not be expected in areas that are not currently subject to chronic inputs of these chemicals. Tetryl decomposes rapidly in methanol/water solutions, as well as with heat. All aqueous samples expected to contain tetryl should be diluted with acetonitrile prior to filtration and acidified to pH <3. All samples expected to contain tetryl should not be exposed to temperatures above room temperature. In addition, degradation products of tetryl appear as a shoulder on the 2,4,6-TNT peak. Peak heights rather than peak areas should be used when tetryl is present in concentrations that are significant relative to the concentration of 2,4,6-TNT.<ref>http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/explosives-booster.htm</ref>


Tetryl was used mainly during [[World War I|World Wars I]] and [[World War II|II]] and later conflicts. Tetryl is usually used on its own, though can sometimes be found in compositions such as [[tetrytol]]. Tetryl is no longer manufactured or used in the [[United States]], but can still be found in legacy munitions such as the [[M14 mine|M14]] anti-personnel [[landmine]].
Tetryl was used mainly during [[World War I|World Wars I]] and [[World War II|II]] and later conflicts. Tetryl is usually used on its own, though can sometimes be found in compositions such as [[tetrytol]]. Tetryl is no longer manufactured or used in the [[United States]], but can still be found in legacy munitions such as the [[M14 mine|M14]] anti-personnel [[landmine]].



== Production ==
== Production ==


Tetryl is produced by action of a mix of concentrated [[nitric acid]] and [[sulfuric acid]] on [[dimethylaniline]].
Tetryl is produced by simply slowly mixing [[dimethylaniline]] with concentrated [[nitric acid]] in the presence of [[sulfuric acid]] (the catalyst).

==Health Concerns/Precautions==

Although tetryl is among the most toxic explosive compounds, it is very short lived. This combined with the fact that the health impacts of this compound are largely unstudied, not much is known about any health problems that this compound may cause.



== See also ==
== See also ==
Line 49: Line 59:


== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}


* Cooper, Paul W., ''Explosives Engineering'', New York: Wiley-VCH, 1996. ISBN 0-471-18636-8
* Cooper, Paul W., ''Explosives Engineering'', New York: Wiley-VCH, 1996. ISBN 0-471-18636-8

Revision as of 18:24, 19 March 2010

Tetryl
Names
IUPAC name
N-methyl-N,2,4,6-tetranitroaniline
Other names
nitramine, tetralite, tetril
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ECHA InfoCard 100.006.848 Edit this at Wikidata
UN number 0208
  • CN(C1=C(C=C(C=C1[N+](=O)[O-])[N+](=O)[O-])[N+](=O)[O-])[N+](=O)[O-]
Properties
C7H5N5O8
Molar mass 287.15 g/mol
Appearance Odorless yellow crystalline solid
Density 1.73 g/cm3
Melting point 129.5 °C (265.1 °F; 402.6 K)
Boiling point Decomposes at 187 °C
Explosive data
Shock sensitivity Sensitive
Friction sensitivity Sensitive
RE factor 1.25
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
checkY verify (what is checkY☒N ?)

2,4,6-trinitrophenylmethylnitramine commonly refered to as Tetryl (C7H5N5O8) is a sensitive explosive compound used to make detonators and explosive booster charges.

Tetryl is a nitramine booster explosive, though the use has been largely superseded by RDX. Tetryl is sensitive secondary high explosive used as a booster, a small charge placed next to the detonator in order to propagate the detonation into the main charge. While it is commonly known as Tetryl it is in fact Trinitrophenylmethylnitramine (derivative of Benzene). This is a standard booster explosive. Tetryl is a fine yellow crystalline material. When tetryl is heated, it first melts, then decomposes and explodes. It burns readily and is more easily detonated than explosive D. [1]

It is a yellow crystalline solid powder material, practically insoluble in water but soluble in Acetone, Benzene and other solvents. It burns readily and is more easily detonated than TNT or Ammonium Picrate (Explosive D), being about as sensitive as Picric Acid. It is detonated by friction, shock, or spark . It remains stable at all temperatures which may be encountered in storage. It is generally used in the form of pressed pellets, and has been approved as the standard bursting charge for small-caliber projectiles, since it gives much better fragmentation than TNT. It also has greater shattering ability than any other military high explosive, and must be properly protected from bullet fire . Its rate of detonation is 23,600-23,900 feet per second. Tetryl is the basis for the service Tetryl blasting caps necessary for positive detonation of TNT. A mixture of Fulminate of Mercury and Potassium Chlorate is included in the cap to insure detonation of Tetryl.[2]

The most toxic ordnance compounds, tetryl and 1,3,5-TNB, are also the most degradable. Therefore these chemicals are expected to be short-lived in nature, and environmental impacts would not be expected in areas that are not currently subject to chronic inputs of these chemicals. Tetryl decomposes rapidly in methanol/water solutions, as well as with heat. All aqueous samples expected to contain tetryl should be diluted with acetonitrile prior to filtration and acidified to pH <3. All samples expected to contain tetryl should not be exposed to temperatures above room temperature. In addition, degradation products of tetryl appear as a shoulder on the 2,4,6-TNT peak. Peak heights rather than peak areas should be used when tetryl is present in concentrations that are significant relative to the concentration of 2,4,6-TNT.[3]

Tetryl was used mainly during World Wars I and II and later conflicts. Tetryl is usually used on its own, though can sometimes be found in compositions such as tetrytol. Tetryl is no longer manufactured or used in the United States, but can still be found in legacy munitions such as the M14 anti-personnel landmine.


Production

Tetryl is produced by simply slowly mixing dimethylaniline with concentrated nitric acid in the presence of sulfuric acid (the catalyst).

Health Concerns/Precautions

Although tetryl is among the most toxic explosive compounds, it is very short lived. This combined with the fact that the health impacts of this compound are largely unstudied, not much is known about any health problems that this compound may cause.


See also

References

  • Cooper, Paul W., Explosives Engineering, New York: Wiley-VCH, 1996. ISBN 0-471-18636-8
  • Tetryl 'Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR),
  • [1] 'Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA),