Picric acid is very unstable and is a flammmable/combustible material. It may be ignited by heat, sparks, or flames. Dried-out picric acid may explode if expose to heat, flame, friction, or shock, and should be treated as an explosive.
How much picric acid is explosive?
The Department of Transportation classifies Picric Acid (Trinitrophenol) with less than 30% water by mass as a Class 1.1D explosive; with greater than 10% water by volume, it is a class 4.1 flammable solid (12). In the wetted state, it is unlikely to be an explosive hazard.
Why picric acid is explosive?
Picric acid (from Greek pikros, “bitter”) was so named by the 19th-century French chemist Jean-Baptiste-André Dumas because of the extremely bitter taste of its yellow aqueous solution. Percussion or rapid heating can cause it (or its salts with heavy metals, such as copper, silver, or lead) to explode.
What is a picric acid bomb?
Picric acid is in the same family of nitroaromatic explosives as trinitrotoluene (TNT). A shock-insensitive explosive compound that forms shock-sensitive explosive salts with metals (such as lead) is too unwieldy for most usual applications.
Is picric acid still used?
It is one of the most acidic phenols. Like other strongly nitrated organic compounds, picric acid is an explosive, which is its primary use. It has also been used as medicine (antiseptic, burn treatments) and as a dye….Picric acid.
| Names | |
|---|---|
| CAS Number | 88-89-1 |
| 3D model (JSmol) | Interactive image |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:46149 |
| ChEMBL | ChEMBL108541 |
Why is it important to never let picric acid dry out?
WARNING: When dry, picric acid can form unstable crystals that are shock, friction or heat sensitive and create a powerful explosion. Dry picric acid can also form even more unstable salts explosive picrate salts when in contact with concrete, amines, bases, and certain metals.
Is picric acid harmful?
Picric acid is toxic by skin contact, ingestion or inhalation causing skin discolouration, skin sensitisation and in high concentrations kidney and liver damage. However in addition to its toxicity, picric acid can present a risk of explosion when encountered as a dry solid (in particular when crystalline).
How do you remove picric acid from your hands?
All work with picric acid should be performed in a properly functional chemical fume hood to minimize inhalation exposure. Skin Exposure (spill on hands): Wash hands thoroughly with soap and copious amounts of water. Notify supervisor immediately.
Why is Trinitrophenol called picric acid?
2,4,6-Trinitrophenol is highly acidic in nature as three electron withdrawing groups (Nitro group) are attached to it. These electron withdrawing groups on phenol make it highly acidic. That’s why it is known as picric acid.
What is the starting material for explosives like picric acid?
Picramide, formed by aminating picric acid (typically beginning with Dunnite), can be further aminated to produce the very stable explosive TATB.
Can picric acid explode?
Potential Explosion Hazards When hydrated, picric acid is a typically safe to handle, but it becomes a powerful explosive when dry (less than 10% water). Dry picric acid is highly sensitive to heat, shock, and friction. The moistened solid is classified as a flammable solid.
Is picric acid an explosive?
When hydrated, picric acid is a typically safe to handle, but it becomes a powerful explosive when dry (less than 10% water). Dry picric acid is highly sensitive to heat, shock, and friction. The moistened solid is classified as a flammable solid.
Why is picric acid not used in bombs?
However, as a strong acid, picric acid attacks common metals (except tin and aluminum) creating explosive salts, which are shock-sensitive. Bombs, mines and grenades were coated with tin or ashpatim to prevent the picric acid from contacting the metallic shell (8).
What is the chemical name of picric acid?
Picric acid is an organic compound with the formula (O2N)3C6H2OH. Its IUPAC name is 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (TNP). The name picric comes from the Greek πικρός (pikros), meaning bitter, reflecting its bitter taste. It is one of the most acidic phenols.
What is picronitric acid used for?
Picric acid (CAS No. 88‐89‐1; 2,4,6‐trinitrophenol, picronitric acid) is a pale yellow, odorless crystal that is slightly soluble in water. It is primarily used as a staining reagent and in synthesis reactions.
Is picric acid flammable when wet?
When hydrated, picric acid is a typically safe to handle, but it becomes a powerful explosive when dry (less than 10% water). Dry picric acid is highly sensitive to heat, shock, and friction. The moistened solid is classified as a flammable solid.
