Trinitroaniline
Encyclopedia
2,4,6-Trinitroaniline, C6H4N4O6, abbreviated as TNA and also known as picramide, a nitrated amine
. Materials in this group range from slight to strong oxidizing agents. If mixed with reducing agents, including hydrides, sulfides and nitrides, they may begin a vigorous reaction that culminates in a detonation. The aromatic nitro compounds may explode in the presence of a base such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide
even in the presence of water or organic solvents. The explosive tendencies of aromatic nitro compounds are increased by the presence of multiple nitro groups. The appearance of trinitroaniline varies from yellow to orange to red depending on its purity and concentration.
. In World War II
it was used by Imperial Japanese Navy
as Type 97 bakuyaku (Model 1931 explosive) in some versions of gun projectile
s instead of less stable burster schimose
. It was also used in the Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka
, a kamikaze antishipping vessel.
, and respiratory distress. Chronic exposure may lead to weight loss, anemia
, and possible liver damage. In case of minor fires with where only extremely small amounts of Trinitroaniline are present foam or CO2 extinguishers may be used. If any moderate or large amount is present, standard procedure is to evacuate the area and allow to burn. Standard safety procedure is to keep sparks, flames, and other sources of ignition away and to keep the compound wet at all times when it is being worked with. If any is spilled, immediately wet down before attempting to clean up. Standard health precautions include not breathing dusts, and fumes from material especially if burning. Wear appropriate chemical protective gloves and goggles. Do not handle broken packages unless wearing appropriate personal protective equipment. Wash away any material which may have contacted the body with copious amounts of water or soap and water. Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus if fighting fires involving this material.
Amine
Amines are organic compounds and functional groups that contain a basic nitrogen atom with a lone pair. Amines are derivatives of ammonia, wherein one or more hydrogen atoms have been replaced by a substituent such as an alkyl or aryl group. Important amines include amino acids, biogenic amines,...
. Materials in this group range from slight to strong oxidizing agents. If mixed with reducing agents, including hydrides, sulfides and nitrides, they may begin a vigorous reaction that culminates in a detonation. The aromatic nitro compounds may explode in the presence of a base such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide
Potassium hydroxide
Potassium hydroxide is an inorganic compound with the formula KOH, commonly called caustic potash.Along with sodium hydroxide , this colorless solid is a prototypical strong base. It has many industrial and niche applications. Most applications exploit its reactivity toward acids and its corrosive...
even in the presence of water or organic solvents. The explosive tendencies of aromatic nitro compounds are increased by the presence of multiple nitro groups. The appearance of trinitroaniline varies from yellow to orange to red depending on its purity and concentration.
Applications/Uses
Trinitroaniline is only used in modern times in the small warheads of some explosive devices such as mortarsMortar (weapon)
A mortar is an indirect fire weapon that fires explosive projectiles known as bombs at low velocities, short ranges, and high-arcing ballistic trajectories. It is typically muzzle-loading and has a barrel length less than 15 times its caliber....
. In World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
it was used by Imperial Japanese Navy
Imperial Japanese Navy
The Imperial Japanese Navy was the navy of the Empire of Japan from 1869 until 1947, when it was dissolved following Japan's constitutional renunciation of the use of force as a means of settling international disputes...
as Type 97 bakuyaku (Model 1931 explosive) in some versions of gun projectile
Projectile
A projectile is any object projected into space by the exertion of a force. Although a thrown baseball is technically a projectile too, the term more commonly refers to a weapon....
s instead of less stable burster schimose
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...
. It was also used in the Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka
Ohka
The Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka was a purpose-built, rocket powered human-guided anti-shipping kamikaze attack plane employed by Japan towards the end of World War II...
, a kamikaze antishipping vessel.
Health Concerns/Precautions
The primary hazard of working with Trinitroaniline is the risk of an instantaneous explosion, not flying projectiles or fragments. Trinitroaniline is dangerously explosive. Symptoms of exposure to this compound may include skin and eye irritation, headache, drowsiness, weakness, cyanosisCyanosis
Cyanosis is the appearance of a blue or purple coloration of the skin or mucous membranes due to the tissues near the skin surface being low on oxygen. The onset of cyanosis is 2.5 g/dL of deoxyhemoglobin. The bluish color is more readily apparent in those with high hemoglobin counts than it is...
, and respiratory distress. Chronic exposure may lead to weight loss, anemia
Anemia
Anemia is a decrease in number of red blood cells or less than the normal quantity of hemoglobin in the blood. However, it can include decreased oxygen-binding ability of each hemoglobin molecule due to deformity or lack in numerical development as in some other types of hemoglobin...
, and possible liver damage. In case of minor fires with where only extremely small amounts of Trinitroaniline are present foam or CO2 extinguishers may be used. If any moderate or large amount is present, standard procedure is to evacuate the area and allow to burn. Standard safety procedure is to keep sparks, flames, and other sources of ignition away and to keep the compound wet at all times when it is being worked with. If any is spilled, immediately wet down before attempting to clean up. Standard health precautions include not breathing dusts, and fumes from material especially if burning. Wear appropriate chemical protective gloves and goggles. Do not handle broken packages unless wearing appropriate personal protective equipment. Wash away any material which may have contacted the body with copious amounts of water or soap and water. Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus if fighting fires involving this material.