1,2,4-Butanetriol trinitrate
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| Names | |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name
1,2,4-Butanetriol trinitrate
| |
| Other names
1,4-Dinitrooxybutan-2-yl nitrate
BTTN | |
| Properties | |
| C4H7N3O9 | |
| Molar mass | 241.11 g/mol |
| Appearance | Yellow clear liquid |
| Odor | Faint |
| Density | 1.52 g/cm3 (at 25 °C)[1] |
| Melting point | −27 °C (−17 °F; 246 K) |
| Boiling point | 230 °C (446 °F; 503 K) (explosion temperature) |
| 0.08 g/100 ml (at 20 °C) 0.15 g/100 ml (at 60 °C) | |
| Solubility | Soluble in acetone, diethyl ether, ethanol, methanol, methyl ethyl ketone |
| Hazards | |
| Safety data sheet | Cerilliant (as solution in MeCN) |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds
|
Nitroglycerin Erythritol tetranitrate |
| Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
| Infobox references | |
1,2,4-Butanetriol trinitrate (1,2,4-BTTN), also called butanetriol trinitrate (BTTN), is an important military propellant, with better stability than nitroglycerin. It has the chemical formula C4H7N3O9.
While the isomer 1,2,3-butanetriol trinitrate is also known, the name butanetriol trinitrate is mostly used for the 1,2,4 isomer, as it's better studied.
Contents
[hide]Properties
Chemical
Butanetriol trinitrate explodes when subjected to high shock or strong heating.
Physical
1,2,4-Butanetriol trinitrate is a clear yellowish liquid explosive. It is poorly soluble in water (0.08 g/100 ml), but more soluble in acetone, diethyl ether, ethanol, methyl ethyl ketone.[2]
Explosive
1,2,4-Butanetriol trinitrate is less sensitive to shock and heat than nitroglycerin. It has an oxygen balance of -16.6%.
Availability
1,2,4-Butanetriol trinitrate is not sold by almost any entity and has to be made.
Preparation
1,2,4-Butanetriol trinitrate can be made by carefully nitrating 1,2,4-butanetriol.
Projects
- Rocket propellant
- Plasticizer in nitrocellulose based propellants
Handling
Safety
1,2,4-Butanetriol trinitrate is a dangerously and extremely powerful explosive. While less sensitive to mechanical forces than nitroglycerin, it can still be set off by a strong shock. Like all nitrate esters, it's a strong vasodilator, and exposure results in severe headaches. It's been shown that it's somewhat more toxic than nitroglycerin.
Storage
1,2,4-Butanetriol trinitrate should not be stored for long periods of time and used as soon as possible.
Disposal
Safe detonation in a remote area is possible, though a safer method involves strong dilution in an organic solvent followed by controlled incineration, small amounts at a time.
References
- Jump up ↑ http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a130875.pdf
- Jump up ↑ Jiping Liu (2015), Liquid Explosives, Springer, p. 261
