Explosophore
Encyclopedia
Explosophores are functional group
s in organic chemistry
that give organic compounds explosive properties. The term was first coined by Russian chemist V. Pletz in 1935. and originally mistranslated in some articles as "plosophore". Also of note is an auxoexplose concept(similar to chromophore
and auxochrome
concept), which is a group that modifies the explosive capability of the molecule. Pletz grouped the explosophores into eight distinct categories.
I. –NO2, –ON=O and –ONO2 : The nitro
(in which the nitrogen bonds to the organic molecule), nitrite
(in which oxygen is bonded to the organic molecule), and nitrate ester (in which nitrogen is between one oxygen bonded to the organic molecule and the other two oxygen atoms) groups respectively connected to organic molecules (by far the most commercially used explosives are nitrate/nitrite based). (Another functional group that is frequently considered as an explosophore is picrate
, the salts or ether
s of picric acid
(2,4,6-trinitrophenol), which gains its explosive capability from the nitrate groups attached to it.)
II. –N=N– and –N−=N+=N−– : The azo
and azide
groups respectively, connected to organic/inorganic compounds
III. –RnNXm : The Halogenated nitrogen group X:halogen (for example NI3 and RNCl3)
IV. –C=N–O– : The fulminate
group (example HONC and Hg(ONC)2)
V. –OClO2 and –OClO3 : The chlorate
and perchlorate
groups respectively, connected to organics/inorganics
VI. –O–O– and –O3– : The peroxide
and ozonide
groups respectively, connected to organics/inorganics
VII. –C≡C− M+ : The acetylide group with its metal derivatives
VIII. A metal atom connected by an unstable bond to the carbon of certain organic radicals : (for example, organic compounds of mercury
, thallium
, and lead
).
The term explosophore has been used more frequently after its use in books such as Organic Chemistry of Explosives by J. Agrawal and R. Hodgson (2007).
Functional group
In organic chemistry, functional groups are specific groups of atoms within molecules that are responsible for the characteristic chemical reactions of those molecules. The same functional group will undergo the same or similar chemical reaction regardless of the size of the molecule it is a part of...
s in organic chemistry
Organic chemistry
Organic chemistry is a subdiscipline within chemistry involving the scientific study of the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and preparation of carbon-based compounds, hydrocarbons, and their derivatives...
that give organic compounds explosive properties. The term was first coined by Russian chemist V. Pletz in 1935. and originally mistranslated in some articles as "plosophore". Also of note is an auxoexplose concept(similar to chromophore
Chromophore
A chromophore is the part of a molecule responsible for its color. The color arises when a molecule absorbs certain wavelengths of visible light and transmits or reflects others. The chromophore is a region in the molecule where the energy difference between two different molecular orbitals falls...
and auxochrome
Auxochrome
An auxochrome is a group of atoms attached to a chromophore which modifies the ability of that chromophore to absorb light. Examples include the hydroxyl group , the amino group , and an aldehyde group ....
concept), which is a group that modifies the explosive capability of the molecule. Pletz grouped the explosophores into eight distinct categories.
I. –NO2, –ON=O and –ONO2 : The nitro
Nitro
-Chemistry:*Nitroglycerin, an explosive chemical compound*Nitromethane, the simplest organic nitro compound; also used to fuel high-performance internal-combustion engines*Nitrous oxide, "laughing gas", used in some dental procedures as an anaesthetic...
(in which the nitrogen bonds to the organic molecule), nitrite
Nitrite
The nitrite ion has the chemical formula NO2−. The anion is symmetric with equal N-O bond lengths and a O-N-O bond angle of ca. 120°. On protonation the unstable weak acid nitrous acid is produced. Nitrite can be oxidised or reduced, with product somewhat dependent on the oxidizing/reducing agent...
(in which oxygen is bonded to the organic molecule), and nitrate ester (in which nitrogen is between one oxygen bonded to the organic molecule and the other two oxygen atoms) groups respectively connected to organic molecules (by far the most commercially used explosives are nitrate/nitrite based). (Another functional group that is frequently considered as an explosophore is picrate
Picrate
A picrate is a salt or an ester of picric acid . But it could also be an additional compound which picric acid forms with many aromatic hydrocarbons, aromatic amines, aliphatic amines, alkalines, and other compounds. These additional compounds are also called picrates even though they are not a...
, the salts or ether
Ether
Ethers are a class of organic compounds that contain an ether group — an oxygen atom connected to two alkyl or aryl groups — of general formula R–O–R'. A typical example is the solvent and anesthetic diethyl ether, commonly referred to simply as "ether"...
s of picric acid
Picric acid
Picric acid is the chemical compound formally called 2,4,6-trinitrophenol . This yellow crystalline solid is one of the most acidic phenols. Like other highly nitrated compounds such as TNT, picric acid is an explosive...
(2,4,6-trinitrophenol), which gains its explosive capability from the nitrate groups attached to it.)
II. –N=N– and –N−=N+=N−– : The azo
Azo
Azo may refer to:* Azo compound, chemistry functional group and class of compounds, also used for CDs and DVDs* A urinary tract analgesic also known as phenazopyridine* the medieval Italian jurist, see Azo of Bologna...
and azide
Azide
Azide is the anion with the formula N3−. It is the conjugate base of hydrazoic acid. N3− is a linear anion that is isoelectronic with CO2 and N2O. Per valence bond theory, azide can be described by several resonance structures, an important one being N−=N+=N−...
groups respectively, connected to organic/inorganic compounds
III. –RnNXm : The Halogenated nitrogen group X:halogen (for example NI3 and RNCl3)
IV. –C=N–O– : The fulminate
Fulminate
Fulminates are chemical compounds which include the fulminate ion. The fulminate ion, is a pseudohalic ion, acting like a halogen with its charge and reactivity. Due to the instability of the ion, fulminate salts are friction-sensitive explosives. The best known is mercury fulminate, which has...
group (example HONC and Hg(ONC)2)
V. –OClO2 and –OClO3 : The chlorate
Chlorate
The chlorate anion has the formula ClO. In this case, the chlorine atom is in the +5 oxidation state. "Chlorate" can also refer to chemical compounds containing this anion; chlorates are the salts of chloric acid. "Chlorate", when followed by a roman numeral in parentheses, e.g...
and perchlorate
Perchlorate
Perchlorates are the salts derived from perchloric acid . They occur both naturally and through manufacturing. They have been used as a medicine for more than 50 years to treat thyroid gland disorders. They are used extensively within the pyrotechnics industry, and ammonium perchlorate is also a...
groups respectively, connected to organics/inorganics
VI. –O–O– and –O3– : The peroxide
Peroxide
A peroxide is a compound containing an oxygen–oxygen single bond or the peroxide anion .The O−O group is called the peroxide group or peroxo group. In contrast to oxide ions, the oxygen atoms in the peroxide ion have an oxidation state of −1.The simplest stable peroxide is hydrogen peroxide...
and ozonide
Ozonide
Ozonide is an unstable, reactive polyatomic anion O3−, derived from ozone, or an organic compound similar to organic peroxide formed by a reaction of ozone with an unsaturated compound.-Inorganic ozonides:...
groups respectively, connected to organics/inorganics
VII. –C≡C− M+ : The acetylide group with its metal derivatives
VIII. A metal atom connected by an unstable bond to the carbon of certain organic radicals : (for example, organic compounds of mercury
Mercury (element)
Mercury is a chemical element with the symbol Hg and atomic number 80. It is also known as quicksilver or hydrargyrum...
, thallium
Thallium
Thallium is a chemical element with the symbol Tl and atomic number 81. This soft gray poor metal resembles tin but discolors when exposed to air. The two chemists William Crookes and Claude-Auguste Lamy discovered thallium independently in 1861 by the newly developed method of flame spectroscopy...
, and lead
Lead
Lead is a main-group element in the carbon group with the symbol Pb and atomic number 82. Lead is a soft, malleable poor metal. It is also counted as one of the heavy metals. Metallic lead has a bluish-white color after being freshly cut, but it soon tarnishes to a dull grayish color when exposed...
).
The term explosophore has been used more frequently after its use in books such as Organic Chemistry of Explosives by J. Agrawal and R. Hodgson (2007).