Difference between revisions of "Urea nitrate"
(→Physical) |
(→Chemical) |
||
| Line 116: | Line 116: | ||
==Properties== | ==Properties== | ||
===Chemical=== | ===Chemical=== | ||
| − | Urea nitrate is unstable in basic solution. | + | Urea nitrate is unstable in basic solution. It also hydrolyzes in solution, which is quite acidic (urea being a very weak base); hot water causes the hydrolysis to proceed more fully, and nitric acid can be distilled back from the solution if heated enough. |
===Physical=== | ===Physical=== | ||
Revision as of 17:59, 14 February 2016
| Properties | |
|---|---|
| CH5N3O4 | |
| Molar mass | 123.068 g/mol |
| Density | 1.69 g/cm3 |
| Melting point | 163 °C (325 °F; 436 K) |
| 15 g/100 ml | |
| Solubility | Soluble in ethanol |
| Hazards | |
| Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
| Infobox references | |
Urea nitrate is the nitrate salt of the organic base urea. It is an explosive material used in various applications, but it has gained a bad reputation due to its use in many terrorists plots, such as the World Trade Center bombing in 1993.
Contents
Properties
Chemical
Urea nitrate is unstable in basic solution. It also hydrolyzes in solution, which is quite acidic (urea being a very weak base); hot water causes the hydrolysis to proceed more fully, and nitric acid can be distilled back from the solution if heated enough.
Physical
Urea nitrate is a white solid, sparingly soluble in water (less so than urea itself). Its solubility in cold water is significantly less than in warm water.
Availability
Due to being an explosive material, the sale of urea nitrate is restricted.
Preparation
Urea nitrate can be prepared by reacting urea with nitric acid. The reaction is exothermic, so it's best to do it at low temperatures.
Projects
- Make blasting caps
