Nitroglycerin

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Description

A heavy, poisonous, oily compound that is unstable and can readily explode. Nitroglycerin was discovered by Ascanio Sobrero in 1847. A safe manufacturing process was developed by Alfred Nobel in the 1860s. Nitroglycerin is prepared by the nitration of Glycerol. It is used to make dynamite.

Synonyms and Related Terms

nitroglycerine; glyceryl trinitrate; trinitroglycerin; Swedish blasting oil; nitroglycerin (Dan., Sven.); Glycerintrinitrat (Deut.); nitroglicerina (Esp., It., Port.); nitroglycérine (Fr.); trinitrine (Fr.); Nitroglycerine (Ned.); nitrogliceryna (Pol.); triazotan glicerol (Pol.); (Port.)

Chemical structure

Nitroglycerinvt.jpg

Risks

  • Compound can be desensitized by cooling to 5-10 C but then should never be warmed as thawing is extremely hazardous.
  • Pfizer: SDS

Physical and Chemical Properties

Composition C3H5N3O9
CAS 55-63-0
Melting Point 13.2 C
Density 1.13 g/ml
Molecular Weight 227.0872
Boiling Point 50-60 C (decomposes)

Resources and Citations

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