Diazodinitrophenol

Diazodinitrophenol (DDNP) is a yellowish brown powder. It is soluble in acetic acid, acetone, strong hydrochloric acid, and most of the solvents but is insoluble in water. A solution of cold sodium hydroxide may be used to destroy it. DDNP may be desensitized by immersing it in water, as it does not react in water at normal temperature. It is less sensitive to impact but more powerful than mercury fulminate and Lead(II) azide. The sensitivity of DDNP to friction is much less than that of mercury fulminate, but it is approximately that of lead Azide. DDNP is used with other materials to form priming mixtures, particularly where a high sensitivity to flame or heat is desired. DDNP is often used as an initiating explosive in propellant primer devices.