2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene

2,4,6-trinitrotoluene(118-96-7) was first prepared in 1863 by German chemist Joseph Wilbrand and originally used as a yellow dye. Its potential as an explosive was not appreciated for several years mainly because it was so difficult to detonate and because it was less powerful than alternatives. TNT can be safely poured when liquid into shell cases, and is so insensitive that in 1910, it was exempted from the UK's Explosives Act 1875 and was not considered an explosive for the purposes of manufacture and storage.
The German armed forces adopted it as a filling for artillery shells in 1902. TNT-filled armour-piercing shells would explode after they had penetrated the armour of British capital ships, whereas the British lyddite-filled shells tended to explode upon striking armour, thus expending much of their energy outside the ship. The British started replacing lyddite with TNT in 1907. TNT is still widely used by the United States military and construction companies around the world. The majority of TNT currently used by the US military is manufactured by Radford Army Ammunition Plant near Radford, Virginia.

2,4,6-trinitrotoluene(118-96-7) is one of the most commonly used explosives for military and industrial applications.

Flammable or explosive when exposed to heat or flame. Moderate explosion hazard; will detonate under strong shock. It detonates at around 240°C but can be distilled safely under reduced pressure. It is a comparatively insensitive explosive. In small quantities it will burn quietly if not confined. However, sudden heating of any quantity will cause it to detonate; the accumulation of heat when large quantities are burning will cause detonation. In other respects it is one of the most stable of all high explosives, and there are but a few restrictions for its handling. It is for this reason, from the military standpoint, that TNT is quantitatively the most used. It requires a fall of 130 cm for a 2 kg weight to detonate it. It is one of the most powerful high explosives. It can be detonated by the usual detonators and blasting caps (at least a No. 6). For full efficiency, the use of a high-velocity initiator, such as tetryl, is required. TNT is one of those explosives containing an oxygen deficiency. In other words, the addition of products that are oxygen rich can enhance its explosive power. Also mono- and dinitrotoluene may be added for reduction of the temperature of the explosion and to make the explosion flashless. Various materials are added to TNT to make what are known as permissible explosives. TNT may be regarded as the equivalent of 40% dynamite and can be used underwater. It is also used in the manufacture of a detonator fuse known as cordeau detonant. For the military, TNT finds use in all types of bursting charges, including armor-piercing types, although it is somewhat too sensitive to be ideal for this purpose and has since been replaced to a great extent by ammonium picrate. It is a relatively expensive explosive and does not compete seriously with dynamite for general commercial use.

Highly dangerous; explodes with shock or heating to 297°C. Various materials can reduce the explosive temperature: red lead (to 192°C), sodium carbonate (to 218°C), potassium hydroxide (to 192°C). Mixtures with sodium dichromate + sulfuric acid may ignite spontaneously. Reacts with nitric acid + metals (e.g., lead or iron) to form explosive products more sensitive to shock, friction, or contact with nitric or sulfuric acids. Reacts with potassium hydroxide dissolved in methanol to form explosive aci-nitro salts. Bases (e.g., sodium hydroxide, potassium iodide, tetramethyl ammonium octahydrotriborate) induce deflagration in molten TNT. Can react vigorously with reducing materials. When heated to decomposition it emits highly toxic fumes of NO_x. See also NITRO COMPOUNDS of AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS and EXPLOSIVES, HIGH.