Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Nitric esters storage behaviour under basic conditions

dangerous amateur - 28-1-2012 at 13:24

Hi there.

PETN, ETN, MHN will decompose over time under acid conditions.
What will happen if the crystals form in a basic solution?

I made a batch of ETN last year and I used a little to much NaCO3, and furthermore this did not dissolve completely.

I expect some NaCO3 that formed a white cloud in the alcohol to be entrapped in the ETN crytstals. The stuff is 10 month old but seems to be in perfect shape. Absolutely fit for NPEDs.

freedompyro - 28-1-2012 at 13:54

Triple recrystallized perfectly white ETN will be storage stable for years at room temperature without a stabilizer. I would recommend using instead neutralization with ammonia in solution so you don't have trace contaminants.

[Edited on 28-1-2012 by freedompyro]

dangerous amateur - 29-1-2012 at 05:49

It was not ment as stabilizer ;)
Just for neutralisation.

But will it decompose my ETN somehow?
I have to admit I'm lacking basic knowledge here.

But concrete for example is somehow basic. If you put in in water, it will make the PH of the water rise.
If you drop acid on this stuff, it will be destroyed.