Nitroglycerin

**Nitroglycerin ** toc =  = 
 * By: Ian **

= = = = = = =Basic Information: = = = __ **Chemical Formula** __ C3H5N3O9 =  = ** Molar Mass ** 227.09g/mols **Melting Point** 13.2 °C 286 K 56 °F = = = = <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%; text-align: center;">**Boiling Point** <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; text-align: center;">50–60 °C 122–140 °F <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%; text-align: center;">** Density ** 1.6 g/cm3 <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%; text-align: center;">__<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; text-align: center;">**Appearance** __ <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; text-align: center;">Heavy Oily Liquid that is as clear as water. <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%; text-align: center;">**__Names__** <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">1,3-Dinitrooxypropan-2-yl Nitrate Propane-1,2,3-Triyl Trinitrate IUPAC Name = 1,2,3-Trinitroxypropane **__<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">3D Model of Nitroglycerin: __** <span style="background-color: #000000; color: #00ff00; display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace; font-size: 180%; text-align: center;"> =<span style="background-color: #000000; color: #00ff00; display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace; font-size: 180%; text-align: center;"> = <span style="background-color: #000000; color: #00ff00; display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace; font-size: 180%; text-align: center;"> =<span style="background-color: #000000; color: #00ff00; display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace; font-size: 180%; text-align: center;">Background Information: =
 * <span style="color: #ff0000; display: block; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 120%; text-align: center;">Explodes at 218 °C **

**Where it is Found** Nitroglycerin isn't found anywhere, you can only obtain it by nitrating glycerol.

**How it is Obtained** Nitroglycerin is made by adding glycerol, also known as glycerin, to concentrated nitric acid and sulfuric acid. The nitroglycerin forms a layer on top of the two acids. The layer is then drawn off and washed. It is first washed with water, and then with a solution of sodium carbonate.

What is Nitroglycerin? Nitroglycerin is a drug in the group called nitrates. As a medicine it widens blood vessels and makes it easier for blood to flow through them. It also makes it easier to pump the heart. Nitroglycerin is slightly soluble in water, it is also miscible with acetone, ehter, benzene, and other organic solvents.
 * Chemical Properties **

**Reaction Tendencies** The compound, Nitroglycerin, is a very unstable compound. Heat, flames, shock, or ultravilolet radiation would all cause this compound to explode in a violent manner. Nitroglycerin is very incopatable with strong acids. Acids such as Hydrochloric acid, Sulfuric acid, and Nitric acid. There are also some hazardous decomposition products. Toxic gases and vapors, such as oxides of nitrogen, may be released in a fire involving nitroglycerin.

=<span style="background-color: #000000; color: #00ff00; display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace; font-size: 180%; text-align: center;">**Discovery of Nitroglycerin:** = Initially called pyroglycerine, Nitroglycerin was the first practical explosive since black power. It was synthesized by Ascanio Sobrero in 1847. During this time Ascanio Sobrero was working under Theophile-Jules Pelouze at the University of Turin (located in the North-West region of Italy). Alfred Nobel then later adopted Nitroglycerin as a commercially useful explosive. Alfred Nobel experimented safer ways to handle the dangerous substance. His younger brother Emil and several other workers were killed in 1864 in a nitrolycerin explosion at the family's armaments factory in Heleneborg, Sweden. A Year after this tragedy Alfred Nobel started an isolated factory in the Krummel Hills of Geesthacht near Hamburg. Here he exported a liquid nitroglycerin and a gun powder known as "Blasting Oil," but because of how unstable the substance is, it was very difficult to transport. After experimenting more Nobel invented dynamite. Dynamite provided a safer way to transport and use nitroglycerin. After this it became the most widely used explosive.

=<span style="background-color: #000000; color: #00ff00; display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace; font-size: 180%; text-align: center;">Uses and Importance: =

//**Medical Information:**// Nitroglycerin is used medically as a vasodilator to treat heart diseases, such as angina and chronic heart failure. As a medicine it widens blood vessels and makes it easier for blood to flow through them. It also makes it easier to pump the heart. Do not use nitroglycerin if you are taking sildenafil. You should not use this medication if you are allergic to nitroglycerin, isosorbide mononitrate, or isosorbide dinitrate, or if you have early signs of a heart attack, severe anemia (a lack of red blood cells), a brain injury, hemorrhage, or tumor.

//**Military Uses:**// The other main use of nitroglycerin is in in explosive, such as dynamite and in propellants. It was adapted by the military as a use for guns and rifles. It has been used as part of explosives, specifically dynamite, since the 1860's. It is used today in the construction and demolition undustries. It is also used by the military as a main ingredient for Nitrocellulose.

=<span style="background-color: #000000; color: #00ff00; display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace; font-size: 180%; text-align: center;">**Explanation of structure:** = **<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #00ff00; display: block; font-size: 140%; text-align: center;">Percent Composition By Number of atoms:** **Carbon**- 3/20-**15%** **By Mass:** **Carbon**-12.011g*3(atoms) = 36.033g/mol = **16%** of 227.09g/mol **Explanation of Structure:** There are double bonds connecting the nitrogen atoms to one of the oxygen atoms. Each carbon atom has a nitro group connected to it as a chain. This molecule contains: 3 Carbon atoms 3 Nitrogen atoms 5 Hydrogen atoms 9 Oxygen atoms **Type of Bonding and Reactions:** Nitroglycerin's decomposition speed is the main reason that it explodes so violently. High explosives are decomposed almost instantaneously by supersonic shock waves that pass through the material. The instantaneous destruction of the molecules is an example of detonation, and the rapid expansion of hot gases that results is what causes the destructive blast of nitroglycerin. In fact, 4 mols of nitroglycerin produces 35 mols of hot gas.
 * Hydrogen**- 5/20-**25%**
 * Nitrogen**- 3/20-**15%**
 * Oxygen**- 9/20-**45%**
 * Hydrogen**-1.0079g*5(atoms) = 5.0395g/mol = **2%** of 227.o9g/mol
 * Nitrogen**-14.0067g*3(atoms) = 42.0201g/mo = **19%** of 227.09g/mol
 * Oxygen**-15.9994g*9(atoms) = 143.995g/mol = **63%** of 227.09g/mol

=<span style="background-color: #000000; color: #00ff00; display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace; font-size: 180%; text-align: center;">**References** =
 * Pictures
 * "Nitroglycerin". Wikipedia. 11-19-09 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Nirtoglycerin_3D_BallStick.png>.
 * Creative Common Search. 11-19-09 <http://search.creativecommons.org/#>.
 * "Nitroglycerin". Wikipedia. 11-19-09 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Nitroglycerin-2D-skeletal.png>.
 * Sources
 * "Nitroglycerin". 11-14-09 <http://www.ch.ic.ac.uk/rzepa/mim/environmental/html/nitroglyc_text.htm>.
 * "Nitroglycerin". Wikipedia. 11-14-09 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitroglycerin>.
 * "Nitroglycerin". Drug Information Online. 11-14-09 <http://www.drugs.com/mtm/nitroglycerin-oral-buccal-sublingual-spray.html>.
 * "Nitroglycerin". Occupational Safety & Health Administration. 11-14-09 <http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/healthguidelines/nitroglycerin/recognition.html>.
 * "Chemical Book". Chemical Book. 11-16-09 <http://www.chemicalbook.com/Search_EN.aspx?keyword=Nitroglycerin>.
 * Kennedy, James. "Nitroglycerin". __The World Book Encyclopedia N-O volume 14__. U.S.A.: Work Book, Inc., 1986.