Tetryl

Tetryl is a sensitive explosive compound used to make detonators and explosive booster charges. Its IUPAC name is 2,4,6-trinitrophenyl-N-methylnitramine and some commonly used synonyms are nitramine, tetralite, and tetril. Its chemical formula is C₇H₅N₅O₈.

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Tetryl is an odorless yellow crystalline solid that is not found naturally in the environment. Under certain conditions, tetryl can exist as dust in air. It is slightly soluble in water and in other liquids.

Tetryl was used mainly during World Wars I and II and later conflicts. Tetryl is usually used on its own, though can sometimes be found in compositions such as tetrytol. Tetryl is no longer manufactured or used in the United States, but can still be found in legacy munitions such as the M14 anti-personnel landmine.

Tetryl has a detonation velocity of 7,570 metres per second.

Production

Tetryl is produced by action of a mix of concentrated nitric acid and sulfuric acid on dimethylaniline.

See also

• Hexanitrobenzene
• Trinitrotoluene

References

Cooper, Paul W., Explosives Engineering, New York: Wiley-VCH, 1996. ISBN 0-471-18636-8