Urea nitrate
Encyclopedia
Urea nitrate is a fertilizer-based high explosive that has been used in improvised explosive device
s in Israel
, Iraq
, and various other terrorism
acts elsewhere in the world, like the 1993 World Trade Center bombings. It has a destructive power similar to better-known ammonium nitrate explosives, with a velocity of detonation between 11155 ft/s (3,400 m/s) and 15420 ft/s (4,700 m/s).
Production is by nitration
of urea
using nitric acid
. This is an exothermic reaction, so steps must be taken to control the temperature. Presence of sulfuric acid
during the nitration catalyzes the reaction, although this is not necessary.
Urea nitrate explosions may be initiated using a blasting cap.
. The more electronegative oxygen atom pulls electrons away from the carbon forming a greater electron density around the oxygen, giving the oxygen a partial negative charge and forming a polar bond. When nitric acid is presented, it ionizes. A hydrogen ion [proton] contributed by the acid is attracted to the oxygen and forms a covalent bond [electrophile H+]. The electronegative NO3- ion then is attracted to the positive hydrogen ion. This forms an ionic bond and hence the compound urea nitrate. As an ionic compound urea nitrate is highly soluble in water.
(NH2)2CO (aq) + HNO3 (aq) → (NH2)2COHNO3 (s)
The compound is favored by many amateur explosive enthusiasts as a principal explosive for use in larger charges. In this role it acts as a substitute for ammonium nitrate based explosives. This is due to the ease of acquiring the materials necessary to synthesize it, and its greater sensitivity to initiation compared to ammonium nitrate based explosives.
Improvised explosive device
An improvised explosive device , also known as a roadside bomb, is a homemade bomb constructed and deployed in ways other than in conventional military action...
s in Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
, and various other terrorism
Terrorism
Terrorism is the systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion. In the international community, however, terrorism has no universally agreed, legally binding, criminal law definition...
acts elsewhere in the world, like the 1993 World Trade Center bombings. It has a destructive power similar to better-known ammonium nitrate explosives, with a velocity of detonation between 11155 ft/s (3,400 m/s) and 15420 ft/s (4,700 m/s).
Production is by nitration
Nitration
Nitration is a general chemical process for the introduction of a nitro group into a chemical compound. The dominant application of nitration is for the production of nitrobenzene, the precursor to methylene diphenyl diisocyanate...
of urea
Urea
Urea or carbamide is an organic compound with the chemical formula CO2. The molecule has two —NH2 groups joined by a carbonyl functional group....
using nitric acid
Nitric acid
Nitric acid , also known as aqua fortis and spirit of nitre, is a highly corrosive and toxic strong acid.Colorless when pure, older samples tend to acquire a yellow cast due to the accumulation of oxides of nitrogen. If the solution contains more than 86% nitric acid, it is referred to as fuming...
. This is an exothermic reaction, so steps must be taken to control the temperature. Presence of sulfuric acid
Sulfuric acid
Sulfuric acid is a strong mineral acid with the molecular formula . Its historical name is oil of vitriol. Pure sulfuric acid is a highly corrosive, colorless, viscous liquid. The salts of sulfuric acid are called sulfates...
during the nitration catalyzes the reaction, although this is not necessary.
Urea nitrate explosions may be initiated using a blasting cap.
Chemistry
Urea contains a carbonyl groupCarbonyl
In organic chemistry, a carbonyl group is a functional group composed of a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom: C=O. It is common to several classes of organic compounds, as part of many larger functional groups....
. The more electronegative oxygen atom pulls electrons away from the carbon forming a greater electron density around the oxygen, giving the oxygen a partial negative charge and forming a polar bond. When nitric acid is presented, it ionizes. A hydrogen ion [proton] contributed by the acid is attracted to the oxygen and forms a covalent bond [electrophile H+]. The electronegative NO3- ion then is attracted to the positive hydrogen ion. This forms an ionic bond and hence the compound urea nitrate. As an ionic compound urea nitrate is highly soluble in water.
(NH2)2CO (aq) + HNO3 (aq) → (NH2)2COHNO3 (s)
The compound is favored by many amateur explosive enthusiasts as a principal explosive for use in larger charges. In this role it acts as a substitute for ammonium nitrate based explosives. This is due to the ease of acquiring the materials necessary to synthesize it, and its greater sensitivity to initiation compared to ammonium nitrate based explosives.