Mannitol hexanitrate,wetted with not less than 40% water,or mixture of alcohol and water,by mass

Chemical properties

Colorless crystals.Soluble in alcohol, acetone, ether; insoluble in water.

The Uses of Mannitol hexanitrate,wetted with not less than 40% water,or mixture of alcohol and water,by mass

Explosive cap ingredient, medicine (admixed with at least 10 parts of carbohydrate).

Definition

ChEBI: Mannite hexanitrate is a monosaccharide.

brand name

Nitranitol (Marion Merrell Dow).

General Description

Colorless needles. Used for filling blasting caps.

Air & Water Reactions

Insoluble in water.

Reactivity Profile

Nitroalkanes, such as Mannitol hexanitrate,wetted with not less than 40% water,or mixture of alcohol and water,by mass, range from slight to strong oxidizing agents. If mixed with reducing agents, including hydrides, sulfides and nitrides, they may begin a vigorous reaction that culminates in a detonation. Nitroalkanes are milder oxidizing agents, but still react violently with reducing agents at higher temperature and pressures. Nitroalkanes react with inorganic bases to form explosive salts. The presence of metal oxides increases the thermal sensitivity of nitroalkanes. Nitroalkanes with more than one nitro group are generally explosive. Nitroalkanes are insoluble in water.

Hazard

Dangerous fire and explosion risk; an initiating explosive.

Health Hazard

Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.

Fire Hazard

MAY EXPLODE AND THROW FRAGMENTS 1600 meters (1 MILE) OR MORE IF FIRE REACHES CARGO.

Safety Profile

Moderately toxic by ingestion and inhalation causing a fall in blood pressure that may result in weakness, headache, and dizziness. Chronic exposure may produce methemoglobinemia with cyanosis. A powerful explosive sensitive to shock or heat. Upon decomposition it emits toxic fumes of NOx. See also NITRATES and EXPLOSIVES, HIGH.

Purification Methods

The hexanitrate crystallises from EtOH or dilute EtOH as silky white needles. EXPLOSIVE (on detonation). [Hayward J Am Chem Soc 73 1974 1951, Patterson & Todd J Chem Soc 2876 1929, Beilstein 1 IV 2841.]