What is TNT? What Is TNT? What is the Effect of TNT Explosive? What Does TNT Bomb Mean?

EGM made a statement after the explosion in Istiklal. In the statement made by the General Directorate of Security, "In the chemical analysis of the findings obtained from the scene, the vehicle the terrorist drove to the scene and our citizens who were martyred, it was determined that the explosive used in the attack was TNT, which is one of the high-powered explosives. ” So what is TNT? What does TNT stand for? What is the effect of TNT explosive? What Does TNT Bomb Mean?

What is TNT?

Trinitrotoluene (TNT), or more specifically 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene, is a chemical compound with the formula C6H2(NO2)3CH3. Although this yellow solid is sometimes used as a reagent in chemical synthesis, it is more commonly known as an explosive with suitable handling properties. The explosive efficiency of TNT is considered the standard comparative rule of bombs and the destructiveness of explosives. In chemistry, TNT is used to produce charge transfer salts.

Historical

TNT was first synthesized in 1863 by the German chemist Joseph Wilbrand. TNT, whose explosive properties were not discovered for many years, was used as a dyestuff. With the discovery of the explosive feature of TNT, it was first used by the Germans in 1902 and by the British in 1907. The compound is widely used today.

synthesis

TNT is synthesized in three steps. In the first step, MNT (mononitrotoluene) is synthesized by nitrating a mixture of toluene, sulfuric and nitric acid in a solution. The nitric acid in this solution provides the nitro group needed for nitration, while the sulfuric acid acts as the catalyst. TNT is obtained by a third nitration after MNT is renitrogenized to dinitrotoluene (DNT).

Physical and chemical properties

Trinitrotoluene melts at 80,6 °C and forms needle-like colorless crystals when frozen. It is insoluble in water, while soluble in alcohol, acetone, gasoline, and toluene. Its water-insoluble and water-absorbing properties make it easy to use in humid environments. TNT is a relatively stable compound compared to other strong explosives.

The explosion reaction of TNT is as follows;

2 C7H5N3O6 → 3 N2 + 5 H2O + 7 CO + 7 C
Although the reaction is exothermic, the activation energy is high.

Usage areas

TNT is commonly used as an explosive in bombs, mines and torpedoes. When formed into a ball, it resists compression during bursting. Shock resistance is related to the physical state of the explosive. For this reason, TNT melted with steam and poured in the form of a liquid bomb is less sensitive to shock than crystalline TNT.

Effects on living things

Dust of TNT causes yellowing of the skin, nails, hair and mucous membranes, and contact with the skin causes itchy eczema. If it enters the body by breathing or swallowing, it causes stomach disorders, poisoning, kidney and urinary tract diseases in some people, and even coma. During the First World War, it was observed that the skin colors of female ammunition workers working with TNT turned yellow. These workers are called "canary girls" because of the color of their skin.