Military uses of high explosives

Question 1

Picric acid

Answer 1

phenol (in presence of nitric acid) –> picric acid
stable ish. heavy metal salts make it unstable so used Fe instead of Pb

Question 2

TNT

Answer 2

toluene (in presence of nitric acid) –> trinitrotoluene
less sensitive. is used in armour piercing shells for tanks

Question 3

nitration of toluene (TNT) vs phenol (picric acid)

Answer 3

nitration of toluene = slower than phenol because phenol = more e- rich (ring structure) and the OH group can move e- around and overcome the activation barrier

Question 4

RDX/HMX

Answer 4

ammonia and formaldehyde
has a high shattering power