Trinitrotoluene

C₇H₅N₃O₆

IUPAC: 2-Methyl-1,3,5-trinitrobenzene

CAS: 118-96-7

Overview

TNT is a yellow solid explosive that is one of the most commonly used military and commercial explosives. Despite being an explosive, it is remarkably stable and requires a detonator to explode. A tonne of TNT is the standard unit for measuring explosive energy.

Composition

Element Symbol Atoms Atomic Mass
Hydrogen H 5 1.0080
Carbon C 7 12.0110
Nitrogen N 3 14.0070
Oxygen O 6 15.9990

Elemental Composition

H
Hydrogen ×5
2.2%
C
Carbon ×7
37.0%
N
Nitrogen ×3
18.5%
O
Oxygen ×6
42.3%

Uses

  • • Military explosive
  • • Mining and demolition
  • • Energy equivalent standard (kiloton, megaton)
  • • Dyestuff intermediate (historical)

Fun Facts

  • ✦ The 'kiloton' and 'megaton' used to measure nuclear weapons are in TNT-equivalents
  • ✦ TNT was initially used as a yellow dye before its explosive potential was realized

Safety

  • ⚠ Explosive (requires detonator)
  • ⚠ Toxic (liver damage)
  • ⚠ Skin absorption causes yellow staining
  • ⚠ Environmental contaminant at military sites

Structure

SMILES

CC1=C(C=C(C=C1[N+](=O)[O-])[N+](=O)[O-])[N+](=O)[O-]

Properties

Type
organic
State
solid
Molar Mass
227.13 g/mol
Density
1.6540 g/cm³
Melting Point
80.4 °C
Boiling Point
240.0 °C
Solubility
0.13 g/L at 20°C

Molecular Descriptors

Exact Mass
227.0178
XLogP
1.6
TPSA
137.0 Ų
H-Bond Donors
0
H-Bond Acceptors
6
Rotatable Bonds
0
Heavy Atoms
16
Complexity
292.0

Also Known As

TNT

Related Compounds

1,2-Dichloroethane

C₂H₄Cl₂

1,3-Butadiene

C₄H₆

1,4-Dioxane

C₄H₈O₂

1-Butanol

C₄H₁₀O

2-Propanol

C₃H₈O

Acetaldehyde

CH₃CHO

Acetamide

C₂H₅NO

Acetic Anhydride

C₄H₆O₃

Acetone

(CH₃)₂CO

Acetonitrile

C₂H₃N

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Trinitrotoluene?
Trinitrotoluene (C₇H₅N₃O₆) is a organic compound with the IUPAC name 2-Methyl-1,3,5-trinitrobenzene.
What is the molecular weight of Trinitrotoluene?
Trinitrotoluene has a molar mass of 227.132 g/mol.
What state is Trinitrotoluene at room temperature?
Trinitrotoluene is a solid at room temperature.
Is Trinitrotoluene organic or inorganic?
Trinitrotoluene is classified as an organic compound.
What elements make up Trinitrotoluene?
Trinitrotoluene (C₇H₅N₃O₆) is composed of Hydrogen (H), Carbon (C), Nitrogen (N), Oxygen (O).