Making TNT

Step-by-Step Tutorial: How to Make TNT

Materials Needed:

1. 100 ml of 98% sulfuric acid
2. 40 ml of 99% fuming nitric acid
3. 35 ml of toluene
4. Glassware (beakers, flasks, separatory funnel)
5. Thermometer
6. Reflux condenser
7. Vacuum filtration setup
8. Potassium nitrate (optional for final nitration)
9. Sodium sulfite or sodium metabisulfite solution
10. Dilute 15% sulfuric acid
11. Distilled water
12. Methanol
13. Propane torch

Step 1: Prepare the Nitrating Mixture

• Mix 100 ml of 98% sulfuric acid and 40 ml of 99% fuming nitric acid in a beaker. Pre-chill the acids to below 0°C.
• This mixture will provide the Nitro groups to the toluene.

Step 2: Add Toluene to the Nitrating Mixture

• Set up an addition funnel containing 35 ml of toluene.
• Slowly add toluene dropwise to the nitrating mixture under constant stirring.
• Monitor the temperature to keep it below 75°C to prevent a runaway reaction.

Step 3: Complete the Mononitration

• Allow the reaction to proceed for 30 minutes after adding all the toluene.
• The mononitration of toluene will form one of three possible isomers of mononitrotoluene (MNT).

Step 4: Separate and Dry the MNT

• Transfer the reaction mixture to a separatory funnel to separate the MNT layer from the acid layer.
• Drain the MNT layer into cold water to solidify it.
• Wash the MNT with water and dry it completely.

Step 5: Perform the Second Nitration

• Mix a fresh batch of nitrating mixture.
• Slowly add the dried MNT to the nitrating mixture.
• Ramp up the temperature gradually to around 80°C and maintain it for 2 hours.

Step 6: Purify the Dinitrotoluene (DNT)

• Transfer the reaction mixture to a separatory funnel to separate the DNT layer from the acid layer.
• Drain the DNT layer into cold water to solidify it.
• Wash the DNT with water and dry it completely.

Step 7: Conduct the Final Nitration

• Mix a second batch of nitrating mixture using the same volumes of acid.
• Add the dry DNT directly to the nitrating mixture.
• Heat the mixture to 120°C and maintain it for 3 hours.

Step 8: Purify the TNT

• Rinse the TNT with a sodium sulfite solution to remove impurities.
• Rinse with dilute sulfuric acid and distilled water.
• Dissolve the TNT in boiling methanol, then recrystallize it by cooling.

Step 9: Collect and Dry the Recrystallized TNT

• Collect the recrystallized TNT by vacuum filtration.
• Rinse with cold methanol and allow it to dry completely.

Step 10: Test the TNT

• Transfer a small amount of TNT to a ceramic dish.
• Ignite the TNT with a propane torch and observe the burning process.

Note:

• Follow safety precautions as handling TNT involves toxic and reactive materials.
• Properly dispose of waste products according to regulations.
• This tutorial is for educational purposes only.