Advertisement

If you have an ACS member number, please enter it here so we can link this account to your membership. (optional)

ACS values your privacy. By submitting your information, you are gaining access to C&EN and subscribing to our weekly newsletter. We use the information you provide to make your reading experience better, and we will never sell your data to third party members.

ENJOY UNLIMITED ACCES TO C&EN

Synthesis

Chemical Safety: An Unexpected Explosion

October 6, 2008 | A version of this story appeared in Volume 86, Issue 40

The potassium salt of 2,4,6-trinitroso-1,3,5-benzenetriol, prepared in our laboratory precisely according to the literature procedure of R. Benedikt (Chem. Ber. 1878, 11, 1374), unexpectedly exploded. 1,3,5-Benzenetriol (1 g, 7.9 mmol) dissolved in 30 mL of H2O and 3 mL of glacial acetic acid was cooled at 6-9 °C and 3 equivalents of potassium nitrite (2 g, 23.7 mmol) in 2 mL water was added. The reaction mixture immediately became brownish and was stirred an additional 30 minutes. Potassium hydroxide (1.4 g, 23.7 mmol) was added, followed by 10 mL of ethanol. The precipitate of dark green crystals was filtered off to give the potassium salt (48%), which was stored in a covered flask on the bench. An hour and a half later, it exploded spontaneously, damaging some glass containers. According to the original report, 2,4,6-trinitroso-1,3,5-benzenetriol decomposes on heating at 130 °C.

Alan R. Katritzky
Gainesville, Fla.

Article:

This article has been sent to the following recipient:

0 /1 FREE ARTICLES LEFT THIS MONTH Remaining
Chemistry matters. Join us to get the news you need.