Hexanitrodiphenylamine
Encyclopedia
Hexanitrodiphenylamine (abbreviated HND), is an explosive chemical compound with the formula C12H5N7O12. HND was used extensively by the Japanese during World War II
but was discontinued due to its toxicity.
. The starting material, dinitrodiphenylamine, is obtained from the reaction of aniline
, dinitrochlorobenzene, and soda ash.
by the Germans as a component of Hexanite
(60% TNT - 40% HND) and by the Japanese as a component of Kongo (Type 98 H2) (60% Trinitroanisol - 40% HND) for use in bombs, sea mines and depth charges; Seigate (Type 97 H) (60% TNT - 40% HND) for use in torpedo warheads and depth charges; and also in Otsu-B (60% TNT, 24% HND & 16% aluminium powder) for use in torpedo warheads.
Its ammonium salt, also known as Aurantia or Imperial Yellow, was discovered in 1873 by Emil Kopp
and used as a yellow colorant for leather, wool and silk in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
but was discontinued due to its toxicity.
Preparation
Dinitrodiphenylamine is treated with 98% nitric acidNitric 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...
. The starting material, dinitrodiphenylamine, is obtained from the reaction of aniline
Aniline
Aniline, phenylamine or aminobenzene is an organic compound with the formula C6H5NH2. Consisting of a phenyl group attached to an amino group, aniline is the prototypical aromatic amine. Being a precursor to many industrial chemicals, its main use is in the manufacture of precursors to polyurethane...
, dinitrochlorobenzene, and soda ash.
Applications
HND is a booster-class explosive that was used in World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
by the Germans as a component of Hexanite
Hexanite
Hexanite was a castable German military explosive developed early in the 20th century before the First World War for the Kaiserliche Marine, intended to augment supplies of trinitrotoluene , which were then in short supply. Hexanite is significantly more powerful than TNT on its own...
(60% TNT - 40% HND) and by the Japanese as a component of Kongo (Type 98 H2) (60% Trinitroanisol - 40% HND) for use in bombs, sea mines and depth charges; Seigate (Type 97 H) (60% TNT - 40% HND) for use in torpedo warheads and depth charges; and also in Otsu-B (60% TNT, 24% HND & 16% aluminium powder) for use in torpedo warheads.
Its ammonium salt, also known as Aurantia or Imperial Yellow, was discovered in 1873 by Emil Kopp
Emil Kopp
Emile Kopp , French chemist, was born at Wasselonne, Alsace.He became in 1847 professor of toxicology and chemistry at the École supérieure de Pharmacie at Strasbourg, in 1849 professor of physics and chemistry at Lausanne, in 1852 chemist to a Turkey-red factory near Manchester, in 1868 professor...
and used as a yellow colorant for leather, wool and silk in the 19th and early 20th centuries.