Endo - 12-1-2006 at 16:04
Hi all,
I was considering the nitration of BHT (butylated hydroxy toluene). (the one that looks like a robot!)
As this has a lot of electron donating groups i am afraid of a runaway nitration, or of just oxidizing this substance to a mess...
What conditions should I use to avoid burning up this compound?
I have 90%HNO3 and 97%H2SO4, so I could try a classic nitration at low, (less than 0 C temps)...
or try using KNO3 after dissolving it in an appropriate acid.
Thanks
First Try
Endo - 11-2-2006 at 09:54
I tried this today,
Temps outside were around 15F so I figured it would be a good time to try this..
Last night I mixed up my acids 2 parts sulfuric and 1part nitric. I let them set for the rest of the night and they were very cold this morning...
I ground up the BHT crystals in a mortar and pestle, until they were very fine also.
Placed the container on a ceramic tile in a snowdrift and added a small amount of BHT, around 50-60mg.
I got an immediate puff of NOx fumes and the solution blackened.
I have a feeling that conditions are much to harsh for this substance and that I need to nitrate in a weaker mixture of acids.
Thanks