What is the meaning of PETN?
PETN, abbreviation of pentaerythritol tetranitrate, a highly explosive organic compound belonging to the same chemical family as nitroglycerin and nitrocellulose.
How do you make pentaerythritol?
Pure pentaerythritol, prepared from the purified tetranitrate, is stated to melt at 260°. Pentaerythritol can be prepared by condensing acetaldehyde with formaldehyde in aqueous solution by means of calcium hydroxide or barium hydroxide.
How pentaerythritol tetranitrate is formed?
It is formed by reacting pentaerythritol (C5H12O4), an alcohol commonly used in paints and varnishes, with nitric acid (HNO2). The reacting solution is chilled to precipitate the PETN.
What is the most powerful military explosive?
Nitroglycerine, discovered in 1846, still remains the most powerful explosive in practical use. Many useful advances have been and are being made, but new explosives are merely new mixtures of old materials, given fancy names.
What is the most powerful explosive in the world?
PETN. One of the most powerful explosive chemicals known to us is PETN, which contains nitro groups which are similar to that in TNT and the nitroglycerin in dynamite. But the presence of more of these nitro groups means it explodes with more power.
What is more powerful than TNT?
What is pentaerythritol tetranitrate used for?
Medical Definition of pentaerythritol tetranitrate : a crystalline ester C5H8N4O12 made by nitrating pentaerythritol and used in the treatment of angina pectoris WORD OF THE DAY
How is pentaerythritol made?
Pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) is prepared either in batches or by continuously nitrating pentaerythritol ( tetramethylolmethane ), which is manufactured from formaldehyde and acetaldehyde. Bodeau DT; Military Energetic Materials: Explosives and Propellants.
What is a pentaerythrite tetrate?
PENTAERYTHRITE TETRANITRATE is a high explosive. An oxidizing agent. May begin a vigorous reaction that culminates in a detonation if mixed with reducing agents, including hydrides, sulfides and nitrides. Emits highly toxic nitrogen oxide fumes on decomposition. Avoid all contact with other chemicals.
What is the molecular weight of pentaerythritol tetranitrate?
Pentaerythritol tetranitrate PubChem CID 6518 Synonyms PENTAERYTHRITOL TETRANITRATE PETN Molecular Weight 316.14 Date s Modify 2021-07-10 Create 2005-03-27