Mannitol hexanitrate

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Mannitol hexanitrate
Names
IUPAC name
(2R,3R,4R,5R)-Hexane-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexol-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexanitrate
Other names
Mannitrin
Nitranitol
Nitromannite
Nitromannitol
Properties
C6H8N6O18
Molar mass 452.15 g/mol
Appearance White solid
Odor Odorless
Density 1.73 g/cm3
Melting point 107–112 °C (225–234 °F; 380–385 K)
Boiling point Detonates
Insoluble
Solubility Soluble in acetone, benzene, diethyl ether, ethanol, isopropanol, methanol
Vapor pressure 2.98·10-8 mmHg (25 °C)
Hazards
Safety data sheet None
Related compounds
Related compounds
Erythritol tetranitrate
Pentaerythritol tetranitrate
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Mannitol hexanitrate (also known as MHN, hexanitromannitol, nitromannite, nitromannitol, Nitranitol and Mannitrin) is an organic nitrated compound, a powerful explosive with the chemical formula C6H8N6O18.

Properties

Chemical

Mannitol hexanitrate will detonate if exposed to strong heat or mechanical shock. Its decomposition releases

Physical

MHN is a powdery solid at standard conditions, with density of 1.73 g/cm3, insoluble in water, but soluble in alcohols and ether.

Explosive

Mannitol hexanitrate is a secondary explosive, with a detonation velocity of 8260 m/s. Its sensitivity is high, particularly at high temperatures (>75 °C) where it is slightly more sensitive than nitroglycerin. MNH has an oxygen balance of +7.1%. Mannitol hexanitrate is classified as a class B explosive.

Availability

Mannitol hexanitrate is not available to the general public, and purchasing it requires a license.

Preparation

The preparation of pure MHN is not a trivial task, since most preparations will yield a mixture of MHN and lower esters (pentanitrate and lower).[1][2]

Projects

  • Make blasting caps

Handling

Safety

Mannitol hexanitrate is sensitive to strong shock and friction, as well as heating, and may explode under the right conditions. If consumed, it results in severe headaches, due to being a strong vasodilator, property seen in other nitrated organic compounds.

Storage

Mannitol hexanitrate should be used as quickly as possible and not stored.

Disposal

Mannitol hexanitrate can be neutralized by safely burning it or detonating it in a remote or safe area.

A better and less dangerous method involves strongly diluting it in alcohol, then slowly add dropwise a base like sodium hydroxide to hydrolyze it to mannitol and sodium nitrate. This reaction is highly exothermic and must be done very carefully at low temperatures and at low concentrations.

References

  1. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10973-013-3265-2
  2. http://www.prepchem.com/synthesis-of-mannitol-hexanitrate/

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