Identifiers | |
---|---|
Properties | |
(C6H7N3O11)n | |
Appearance | Light yellow powder |
Insoluble | |
Solubility | Soluble in ethanol, diethyl ether, acetone, chloroform, ethyl acetate, nitric acid |
Thermochemistry | |
10797.65 J/g | |
9279.69 J/g | |
Related compounds | |
Related compounds | Starch Nitrocellulose |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). |
Nitrostarch is a secondary explosive [1] similar to nitrocellulose. Much like starch, it is made up of two components, nitrated amylose and nitrated amylopectin. Nitrated amylopectin generally has a greater solubility than amylose; however, it is less stable than nitrated amylose. [2]
The solubility, detonation velocity, and impact sensitivity depend heavily on the level of nitration. [2]
Nitrostarch is made by dissolving starch in red fuming nitric acid. It is then precipitated by adding the solution to concentrated sulfuric acid. [2]
Nitrostarch can be stabilized by refluxing it in ethanol to drive off the left over nitric acid. [2]
Nitrostarch was first discovered by French chemist and pharmacist Henri Braconnot. [3]
After stabilizers (such as ammonium oxalate) were devised in the early 1900s to prolong its shelf life, it was started to be used as an industrial explosive. [4]
During World War I, it was used as a filler in hand grenades. [5]