Explanation , characterisation and synthesis of explosives

Description of Explosives in forensic science

1. SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERSTICS OF TNT,PETN,RDX AND HMX . SUBMITTED BY: ANKUSH A284259323003 BSc FORENSIC SCIENCE RESEARCH HONOURS SUBMITTED TO: Ms. VARSHA CHAUHAN

2. TNT(TRI NITRO TOLUENE) The full form of TNT is Trinitrotoluene. TNT is a yellow solid that is often seen as a reagent in the chemical synthesis process but is commonly known for being an explosive substance with smooth handling characteristics. TNT is an effective explosive because it can turn from solid to hot expanding gases quite rapidly. 2 Moles of solid TNT transform nearly into 15 moles of hot gas, including a little carbon powder that brings the explosion characteristics

3. HISTORY OF TNT A brief history of TNT TNT was first invented in 1863 by Julius Wilbrand , a German chemist. It was first used for many years as a yellow dye. Another German chemist, Carl Haussermann , identified its explosive function in 1891. In 1902, it was introduced by the German Army as a filling for artillery shells. The British Army used lyddite-filed shells, and it substituted lyddite with TNT later in 1907.

4. PROPERTIES OF TNT Properties of TNT The important properties of TNT are listed below. Chemical formula C6H2(NO2)3CH3 TNT also called as 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene, 2,4,6-Trinitromethylbenzene, 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluol. Molar mass 227.132 g·mol−1 Appearance Solid has a pale yellow colour Melting and boiling point 80.35 °C or 240.0 °C

5. SYNTHESIS OF TNT Synthesizing Method of TNT The synthesis of TNT in the industry follows three steps. 1st step : Formation of MNT (mono nitro toluene) by nitration process in the presence of nitric and sulphuric acid. 2nd step: Separation of DNT and again nitration process to produce DNT (di nitro toluene). 3rd step: Formation of TNT from DNT by nitration process in the presence of oleum and anhydrous nitric acid.

6. USES OF TNT TNT is generally used for explosive purposes in the industry and military sectors. It is a chemical explosive suitable for demolitions. TNT can also be used to generate charge transfer salt.

7. PETN(PENTA ERYTHROTOL TETRA NITRATE) PETN is a well-known chemical compound that is often used in making explosives. The PETN full form is pentaerythritol tetranitrate. It is an organic compound that belongs to the family of nitrocellulose and nitroglycerin. In addition to being an explosive compound, it also functions as a vasodilator and is a common treatment for heart conditions like angina.

8. HISTORY OF PETN The patent for PETN goes to Rheinisch-Westfälische Sprengstoff A.G. of Cologne, Germany. They were the first company in 1894 to prepare pentaerythritol tetranitrate. PETN commercial production started in 1912 for the improved variant in 1912. The German military force used PETN in world war I. The military forces used their efficiency and shattering forces in both civilian and military applications.A single detonator can control PETN. Also, the military forces used blasting caps and a detonating fuse known as Primacord to initiate a series of detonations. It was also used in World War II in the MG FF/M type of autocannons, mine shells, and other weaponry by the Luftwaffe.

9. PROPERTIES OF PETN Properties Chemical formula C5H8N4O12 Molar mass 316.137 g/mol Appearance White crystalline solid[1] Density 1.77 g/cm3 at 20 °C Melting point 141.3 °C (286.3 °F; 414.4 K) Boiling point 180 °C (356 °F; 453 K) (decomposes above 150 °C (302 °F))

10. SYNTHESIS OF PETN PETN is an organic compound containing nitrogen. It is similar to nitrocellulose and nitroglycerin. The chemical formula for PETN is C5H8N4O12. PETN is prepared by the reaction of nitric acid with pentaerythritol (C5H12O4). Pentaerythritol is a commonly used alcohol in varnishes and paints. The reaction takes place in chilled conditions so that PETN can precipitate out.After its precipitation, PETN is filtered, washed, dried, and undergoes recrystallization resulting in a colorless crystalline material. PETN is stored in a mixture of alcohol and water.

11. USES OF PETN As stated earlier, PETN is a highly explosive organic compound belonging to the same group of nitroglycerine and nitrocellulose. It is widely used in weaponry by different countries and terrorist organizations. The first use of PETN in wars dates back to World War I. It was also used in World War II.In grenades, PETN is mixed with trinitrotoluene (TNT) to form a highly explosive, military-grade mixture called Pentolite. Pentolite is also used in projectile artillery, shaped-charge warheads, etc. One such shaped-charge warhead is used in the old-bazooka-type antitank weapon that was used in World War II. PETN is also mixed with RDX in appropriate solvents to form a highly explosive mixture. Such a plastic explosive mixture is called a Semtex.

12. RDX(CYCLO TRI-METHYLENE TRI-NITRATE) RDX is a white, rigid crystalline solid that is insoluble in water and very slightly soluble in a few other solvents. Because it is sensitive to pounding, its primary nonmilitary application is in blasting caps. It is frequently combined with other medicines to reduce its sensitivity.

13. HISTORY OF RDX Georg Friedrich Henning from Germany created and patented RDX in 1898. However, it was not employed until the Second World War, when most combatant states initially adopted this RDX. A secret procedure evolved in the United States in the creation and adoption of this RDX. Canada and the United States developed RDX on a big scale in a relatively secure and cost-effective manner.

14. PROPERTIES OF RDX RDX is white in color, solid in nature & crystal in form RDX is a potent and flavourless stimulant Water and organic solvents do not dissolve RDX RDX has a molecular weight of 222.12 g/mol RDX breaks down at 213oC and has a melting range at 205.5oC

15. SYNTHESIS OF RDX RDX is classified by chemists as a hexahydro-1,3,5-triazine derivative. In laboratory settings (industrial routes are described below separately) it is obtained by treating hexamine with white fuming nitric acid.[22] This nitrolysis reaction also produces bis-oxadiazole, ammonium nitrate, and water as by-products. The overall reaction is C6H12N4 + 10 HNO3 → C3H6N6O6 + 3 CH2(ONO2)2 + NH4NO3 + 3 H2O Modern syntheses employ hexahydro triacyl triazine as it avoids formation of HMX

16. USES OF RDX RDX was widely used during World War II, often in explosive mixtures with TNT such as Torpex, Composition B, Cyclotols, and H6. RDX was used in one of the first plastic explosives. The bouncing bomb depth charges used in the " Dambusters Raid" each contained 6,600 pounds (3,000 kg) of Torpex;[10] The Tallboy and Grand Slam bombs designed by Barnes Wallis also used Torpex. RDX is believed to have been used in many bomb plots, including terrorist plots. RDX is the base for a number of common military explosives:

17. USES OF HMX HMX explodes violently at high temperatures (534°F and above). Because of this property, HMX is used in nuclear devices, plastic explosives, rocket fuels, and burster chargers. A small amount of HMX is also formed in making cyclotrimethylene-trinitramine (RDX), another explosive similar in structure to HMX.

18. HMX(CYCLOTETRA METHYLENE TETRANITRAMINE) HMX, also called octogen, is a powerful and relatively insensitive nitroamine high explosive, chemically related to RDX. The compound's name is the subject of much speculation, having been variously listed as High Melting Explosive, High-velocity Military Explosive, or High-Molecular-weight RDX.[1] The molecular structure of HMX consists of an eight-membered ring of alternating carbon and nitrogen atoms, with a nitro group attached to each nitrogen atom. Because of its high mass-specific enthalpy of formation it is one of the most potent chemical explosives manufactured, although a number of newer ones, including HNIW and ONC, are more powerful.

19. HISTORY OF HMX It is first made in 1930, and almost exclusively used in military applications. In 1949 it was discovered that HMX can be prepared by nitrolysis of RDX. Its chemical name is cyclotetramethylenetetramine . HMX is more complicated to manufacture than most explosives, and this confines it to specialist applications

20. PROPERTIES OF HMX Properties Chemical formula C4H8N8O8 Molar mass 296.155 g/mol Density 1.91 g/cm3, solid Melting point 276 to 286 °C (529 to 547 °F; 549 to 559 K)

21. Exists in four different isomeric forms. They are α-, β-, γ-, δ- HMX. The modification transition temperatures are : • α → δ: 193- 2010 C • β → δ: 167- 1830 C • γ → δ: 167-1820 C • α → β: 1160 C • β → γ : 1540 C

22. SYNTHESIS OF HMX HMX is more complicated to manufacture than most explosives, and this confines it to specialist applications. It and RDX are both produced by the Bachmann process—nitration of hexamine using a mixture of ammonium nitrate and nitric acid in a mixture of acetic acid and acetic anhydride as solvent— with the major product determined by the specific reaction conditions.[

23. EXPLOSIVE BY MIXTURE OF EXPLOSIVES AMATOL: Amatol is a highly explosive material made from a mixture of TNT and ammonium nitrate.[1] The British name originates from the words ammonium and toluene (the precursor of TNT). Similar mixtures (one part dinitronaphthalene and seven parts ammonium nitrate) were known as Schneiderite in France. Amatol was used extensively during World War I and World War II, typically as an explosive in military weapons such as aircraft bombs, shells, depth charges, and naval mines.[2] It was eventually replaced with alternative explosives such as Composition B, Torpex, and Tritonal.

24. AMMONAL: Ammonal is an explosive made up of ammonium nitrate and aluminium powder, not to be confused with T-ammonal which contains trinitrotoluene as well to increase properties such as brisance. The mixture is often referred to as Tannerite, which is a brand of ammonal. CYCLOTOL : Cyclotol is an explosive consisting of castable mixtures of RDX and TNT. It is related to the more common Composition B, which is roughly 60% RDX and 40% TNT; various compositions of Cyclotol contain from 65% to 80% RDX.[1] Typical ranges are from 60/40 to 80/20 RDX/TNT, with the most common being 70/30, while the military mostly uses 77/23 optimized in warheads. PENTOLITE : Pentolite is a composite high explosive used for military and civilian purposes, e.g., warheads and booster charges. It is made of pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) phlegmatized with trinitrotoluene (TNT) by melt casting.[1 TRTRYTOL : Tetrytol is a high explosive, comprising a mixture of tetryl and TNT.[1] Typically, the proportion of ingredients (by weight) is 65%, 70%, 75% or 80% tetryl to 35%, 30%, 25% or 20% TNT. Tetryl and TNT do form a eutectic with a setting point of 67.5 °C, which consists of 55% tetryl and 45% TNT.[2] Hence, cast tetrytol charges consist of solidified suspensions of crystalline tetryl in the solid tetryl-TNT-eutectic. Tetrytol is more sensitive than TNT and less sensitive than tetryl to impact.[1] The detonation velocity of unconfined cast cylindrical charges (1 inch diameter) of tetrytol is between 7290 and 7410 m/s with an average of 7350 m/s for tetrytol 75/25 and 7340 m/s for tetrytol 65/35.[2] For comparison, cylindrical charges of cast pure TNT of similar dimensions are reported to detonate with a velocity of between 6680 and 6990 m/s.[3]

25. PICTRATOL : Picratol is a high explosive mixture, comprising 52% 'Explosive D' and 48% TNT. It has a detonation velocity of approximately 6,972 metres per second. Picratol has no civilian applications. It was exclusively intended for military use and was especially popular during the Second World War. The basic advantage of Picratol is its insensitivity to shock. As a result, it proved useful as the main explosive filling in armour -piercing shells and aerial bombs.

26. • Composition B (60% RDX, 40% TNT plus wax) • Cyclotol (60-75 % RDX, 25-40% TNT) • Torpex 2 (42% RDX, 40% TNT, 18% Al) • Composition C4 (91% RDX, 9% plasticisers) • Picratol (TNT + ammonium picrate) • Tritonal (TNT + aluminium powder) • Amatol (TNT +AN) • MOX-RDX + TNT + Al + Ba(NO3)2 + Calcium strearate + graphite+ wax • Pentolite : PETN +TNT • Semtex H: RDX+PETN+ • Poly butadiene styrene + oil • PTX 1: RDX + TNT + Tetryl • PTX 2” RDX+TNT+PET MIXTURES OF EXPLOSIVES:

27. REFRENCES https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picratol https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetrytol https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RDX https://unacademy.com/content/full-forms/rdx/ https://wwwn.cdc.gov/TSP/substances/ToxSubstance.aspx?toxid=72 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TNT https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentaerythritol_tetranitrate https://www.vedantu.com/chemistry/pentaerythritol-tetranitrate

28. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMX