Picric acid - a complex chemical that is a nitro derivative of phenol.Incidentally, this compound is known in the science called "trinitrophenol".The substance and its salts are used as explosives.
Picric acid: formula and physical properties
trinitrophenol The formula is as follows:
C6H2 (NO2) 3OH
Pure picric acid is a solid, which consists of a plate-like crystals.These crystals can be either colorless or have a slight yellowish tint.The melting point of this substance is + 122.5 degrees Celsius.
trinitrophenol taste very bitter, and its dust irritates the nasal passages.Prolonged inhalation of substances harmful to the human body, because it leads to poisoning, kidney damage and the appearance of skin diseases.Undesirable substances and contact with the mucous membranes.For example, the conjunctiva eye after being hit on her dust of picric acid acquires a yellowish tint.
Picric acid: chemical properties and main characteristics
trinitrophenol poorly soluble in water, even at elevated temperatures increased the solubility parameters.However, the ideal solvent for the substance is benzene and methanol, chloroform and acetone.
Picric acid is also capable of forming a so-called eutectic mixtures.The fact that a high melting point creates certain technical difficulties when arming ordnance.But when you create a mixture with nitronaphthalene or trinitrokrezolom this figure can be partly reduced.
It should also be noted that trinitrophenol - this is quite a strong acid, which quickly and actively reacts exchange.As a result of interaction with the metal salt formed - so-called picrates.The most commonly used salts of lead, sodium, iron and calcium.Interestingly, picric acid salts are more sensitive, which requires extra care in the production of ammunition.
Picric acid and explosive devices
in history it was the first trinitrophenol effective explosive.Explosive properties acid and its salts have been found around the end of the eighteenth century, but used extensively during the war it started only in the 30s of XIX century.
use trinitrophenol gave a new impetus to the development of military technology.The fact that the picrates itself picric acid has a much greater impact-destructive properties than the powder that was used in those days.
peak of its popularity reached such explosives during the Second World War.At present day technology this is not practically used.
How to get trinitrophenol?
picric acid may be obtained during the reaction of phenol with direct nitration using nitric acid of high concentration.But before thinking about where to buy nitric acid, it is worth noting that the production process pikrina picrates or very dangerous.History knows many related tragic cases.
use of picric acid
Actually trinitrophenol used not only to create explosives.This compound has been widely spread in other areas of industry.For example, pikrin is an intermediate in the manufacture of certain dyes.
substance has been recognized in the medical field, which is sometimes used as an antiseptic.
producing the metal using picric acid as an etchant.In chemical industry it is used as a catalyst during the polymerization reaction.From it are prepared as pigments for staining histology specimens or to mark laboratory animals.
