TNT Full Form

What is the full form of TNT?

TNT stands for Trinitrotoluene. It is a pale yellow organic compound containing nitrogen. As per the IUPAC nomenclature, trinitrotoluene is also known as 2-methyl-1,3,5 trinitrobenzene. It was discovered by Julius Wibrand in 1863 and used as a yellow dye. Three decades later, Carl Häusserman discovered its potential as an explosive compound.

This Story also Contains

1. What is the full form of TNT?
2. Chemical properties
3. Synthesis of TNT
4. Side effects of TNT
5. Applications

Chemical properties

The chemical formula of trinitrotoluene is C6H2(NO2)3CH3, having a molar mass of 227.132 g/mol and a density of 1.654 g/cm3.It is a pale yellow solid that is frequently used as a chemical reagent but is explosive.

It has a melting point of 80.35 °C (176.63 °F; 353.50 K) and a boiling point of 240.00 °C (464.0 °F; 513.1 K). 0.13 g/L of trinitrotoluene is soluble in water at 20 °C (68 °F; 293.15 K). It is also soluble in other compounds such as ether, acetone, benzene, and pyridine.

Synthesis of TNT

The industrial preparation of trinitrotoluene is a three-step method that involves the following chemical processes:

• Step 1: Production of mononitrotoluene (MNT) by nitration in the presence of sulphuric and nitric acids.

• Step 2: Mononitrotoluene is separated and nitrated to form dinitrotoluene, followed by the production of trinitrotoluene. The following process takes place in the presence of an anhydrous mixture of oleum and nitric acid.

• Step 3: Sulphitation is used to produce stabilised trinitrotoluene as the end product.

Side effects of TNT

Since trinitrotoluene is an explosive and toxic organic compound, it is essential to know about the side effects of the substance while handling it. When it comes to skin contact, it leads to skin irritation.

It can cause various diseases such as anaemia, abnormal liver functions, nausea, diarrhoea, cyanosis, headaches, etc. Trinitrotoluene ingestion or inhalation can also cause liver dysfunction, spleen enlargement, and other immune system-related problems.

It also greatly impacts the ecological level, as TNT residues can contaminate soil, air, and water, and hence the environment. It can accumulate in any of these abiotic components and affect the health of biological life.

Applications

As trinitrotoluene is an explosive substance, it is widely used in industries, mining applications, and military weapons. It is also used as a catalyst and a reducing agent in other chemical industries.

It is also blended with other compounds. For example, Amatol, Baratol, Cyclotol, Octol, and so on are explosive blends of trinitrotoluene. TNT can also be used effectively in wet environments as it is not affected by water, i.e., it neither absorbs nor dissolves water molecules.