Mannitol hexanitrate
| Names | |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name
(2R,3R,4R,5R)-Hexane-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexol-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexanitrate
| |
| Other names
Mannitrin
Nitranitol Nitromannite Nitromannitol | |
| Properties | |
| C6H8N6O18 | |
| Molar mass | 452.15 g/mol |
| Appearance | White solid |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Density | 1.73 g/cm3 |
| Melting point | 107–112 °C (225–234 °F; 380–385 K) |
| Boiling point | Detonates |
| Insoluble | |
| Solubility | Soluble in acetone, benzene, diethyl ether, ethanol, isopropanol, methanol |
| Vapor pressure | 2.98·10-8 mmHg (25 °C) |
| Hazards | |
| Safety data sheet | None |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds
|
Erythritol tetranitrate Pentaerythritol tetranitrate |
| Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
| Infobox references | |
Mannitol hexanitrate (also known as MHN, hexanitromannitol, nitromannite, nitromannitol, Nitranitol and Mannitrin) is an organic nitrated compound, a powerful explosive with the chemical formula C6H8N6O18.
Contents
Properties
Chemical
Mannitol hexanitrate will detonate if exposed to strong heat or mechanical shock. Its decomposition releases
Physical
MHN is a powdery solid at standard conditions, with density of 1.73 g/cm3, insoluble in water, but soluble in alcohols and ether.
Explosive
Mannitol hexanitrate is a secondary explosive, with a detonation velocity of 8260 m/s. Its sensitivity is high, particularly at high temperatures (>75 °C) where it is slightly more sensitive than nitroglycerin. MNH has an oxygen balance of +7.1%. Mannitol hexanitrate is classified as a class B explosive.
Availability
Mannitol hexanitrate is not available to the general public, and purchasing it requires a license.
Preparation
The preparation of pure MHN is not a trivial task, since most preparations will yield a mixture of MHN and lower esters (pentanitrate and lower).[1][2]
Projects
- Make blasting caps
Handling
Safety
Mannitol hexanitrate is sensitive to strong shock and friction, as well as heating, and may explode under the right conditions. If consumed, it results in severe headaches, due to being a strong vasodilator, property seen in other nitrated organic compounds.
Storage
Mannitol hexanitrate should be used as quickly as possible and not stored.
Disposal
Mannitol hexanitrate can be neutralized by safely burning it or detonating it in a remote or safe area.
A better and less dangerous method involves strongly diluting it in alcohol, then slowly add dropwise a base like sodium hydroxide to hydrolyze it to mannitol and sodium nitrate. This reaction is highly exothermic and must be done very carefully at low temperatures and at low concentrations.
References
- ↑ https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10973-013-3265-2
- ↑ http://www.prepchem.com/synthesis-of-mannitol-hexanitrate/
