Names:

• 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene
• TNT
• 2,4,6-Trinitromethylbenzene
• Tolite

 

This week’s MOTW is 2,4,6 – Trinitrotoluene aka TNT! TNT was first made by a German chemist named Julius Wilbrand in 1863. Before it was ever an explosive, TNT was used as a yellow colored dye. TNT is mostly used today by the military and in the construction and mining industries.

TNT is not as dangerous as you may think it is! Upon detonation of TNT it decomposes into gases such as nitrogen, hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The reaction is highly exothermic but has a very high activation energy making it a pretty stable explosive. Due to its insensitivity to shock and friction, TNT is of high value because it reduced the risk of accidental detonation!