gregxy - 20-7-2006 at 12:16
I have an old book that describes making C2H4(NO3)2 (ethyleneglycol dinitrate) from ethylene by an electrolytic process.
The anode solution is Calcium Nitrate is disolved in acetone. The cathode solution is nitric acid. Ethylene is bubbled over the anode (platinum gauze)
and the NO3 radicals adds across the double bond.
Has anyone ever tried this proceedure?
Ethylene is hard to get but I wonder what would happen with acetylene or MAPP gas (maybe a tetra nitrate?).
Any suggestions for other easily obtained alkyenes to try?
Nick F - 20-7-2006 at 12:25
Ethene may be hard to buy, but it's easy to make.
Everything I've read suggests that these types of nitration are messy. COPAE has something on it, if I remember correctly...
Anyway, it'd certainly be much easier and much better to just nitrate ethylene glycol with mixed acid.
franklyn - 20-7-2006 at 14:32
The Chemistry of Powder and Explosives page 228 speaks to this
apparently a side reaction will give you Dinitrodiglycol
(CH2NO3.CH2)2:O . I wondered if formaldehyde or even carbon
monoxide could work. In your notion acetylene oxide would be
needed I think.
.