trinitromethane

Chemical properties

White crystals. Decomposes above 25C, heat of combustion 746 cal/g. Soluble in water.

The Uses of trinitromethane

Manufacture of propellants and explosives.

Hazard

Explodes on heating, concentrations above 50% in air may explode.

Safety Profile

Poison by ingestion and intraperitoneal routes. Moderately toxic by inhalation. Irritating to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Inhalation can cause headache and nausea. Causes mild narcosis. A very dangerous explosion hazard; explodes when heated rapidly. Dissolution is exothermic and solutions of more than 50% can explode. mxtures of 90% trinitromethane + 10% isopropyl alcohol in polyethylene bottles have exploded. Frozen mixtures with 2-propanol(lO%) explode when thawed. Can explode during distillation. Mixtures with divinyl ketone can explode at 4℃. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of NOx. See also NITRO COMPOUNDS.