WHAT IS TNT?

IUPAC name :
2-Methyl-1,3,5-trinitrobenzene

Other names:
2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene,
TNT, Trilite, Tolite, Trinol, Trotyl,
Tritolo, Tritolol, Triton, Tritone,
Trotol, Trinitrotoluol,
2,4,6-Trinitromethylbenzene
HOW IS IT PRODUCED ?
 DETAILED MECHANISM

In the laboratory, 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene is produced by a two step process. A nitrating

mixture of concentrated nitric and sulfuric acids is used to nitrate toluene to a mixture of
mono- and di-nitrotoluene isomers, with cooling to maintain careful temperature control.
The nitrated toluene are then separated, washed with dilute sodium bicarbonate to remove
oxides of nitrogen, and then carefully nitrated with a mixture of fuming nitric acid and
sulfuric acid. Towards the end of the nitration, the mixture is heated on a steam bath. The
trinitrotoluene is separated, washed with a dilute solution of sodium sulfite and then
recrystallized from alcohol.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trinitrotoluene
APPLICATION
 AN EXPLOSIVE MATERIAL
2,4,6-trinitrotoluene is better known by its initials, TNT. It is an important explosive,
since it can very quickly change from a solid into hot expanding gases. Two moles of
solid TNT almost instantly changes to 15 moles of hot gases plus some powdered
carbon, which gives a dark sooty appearance to the explosion. This is where
another explosive, TNT is explosive for two reasons. First, it contains the elements
carbon, oxygen and nitrogen, which means that when the material burns it
produces highly stable substances (CO, CO2 and N2) with strong bonds, so
releasing a great deal of energy. This is a common feature of most explosives; they
invariably consist of many nitrogen or oxygen containing groups (usually in the form
of 2, 3 or more nitro-groups), attached to a small, constricted organic backbone.

HTTP://WWW.CH.IC.AC.UK/VCHEMLIB/MIM/BRISTOL/TNT/TNT_TEXT.HTM
However, explosives like TNT, actually have less potential energy than gasoline, but
it is the high velocity at which this energy is released that produces the blast
pressure. This very high speed reaction is called a detonation. TNT has a
detonation velocity of 6,940 m/s compared to 1,680 m/s for the detonation of
pentane in air, and the 0.34 m/s stoichiometric flame speed of gasoline
combustion in air.
The second fact that makes TNT explosive is that it is chemically unstable -
the nitro groups are so closely packed that they experience a great deal of
strain and hindrance to movement from their neighbouring groups. Thus it
doesn't take much of an initiating force to break some of the strained
bonds, and the molecule then flies apart. Typically 1 gram of TNT produces
about 1 litre of gas, which is a 1000 fold increase in volume. This expanding
hot gas can be used to propel a projectile, such as a bullet from a gun, or for
demolition purposes.
 WEAPON

There are a number of advantages that TNT has for ammunition manufacturers.
First, it melts at a reasonably low temperature (81°C), which means it can be
readily melted and poured into shells and bombs. Secondly, it is not too unstable
- allowing it to be handled reasonably safely during manufacture and operation.
TNT will not spontaneously explode, and in fact can be treated quite roughly. In
order to initiate the explosion, TNT must first be detonated using a pressure wave
from another, more easily induced explosion from another explosive called a
detonator. One such detonator is lead azide, Pb(N3)2, which explodes when
struck or if an electric discharge is passed through it
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
TNT is poisonous, and skin contact can cause skin irritation, causing the skin to turn a
bright yellow-orange color. During the First World War, munition workers who
handled the chemical found that their skin turned bright yellow, which resulted in
their acquiring the nickname "canary girls" or simply "canaries."

People exposed to TNT over a prolonged period tend to experience anemia and
abnormal liver functions. Blood and liver effects, spleen enlargement and other
harmful effects on the immune system have also been found in animals that
ingested or breathed trinitrotoluene. There is evidence that TNT adversely affects
male fertility.T NT is listed as a possible human carcinogen, with carcinogenic
effects demonstrated in animal experiments (rat), although effects upon humans
so far amount to none [according to IRIS of March 15, 2000]. Consumption of
TNT produces red urine through the presence of breakdown products and not
blood as sometimes believed.