Nitroglycerin

IUPAC Name: 1,3-Dinitrooxypropan-2-yl nitrate
Molecular Formula: C₃H₅N₃O₉
Molecular Weight: 227.09 g/mol
EINECS: 200-240-8
Product Categories: Organics
Classification Code: Cardiovascular Agents; Drug / Therapeutic Agent; Explosive Agents; Human Data; Mutation data; Reproductive Effect; Skin / Eye Irritant; Tumor data; Vasodilator [coronary]; Vasodilator agents
Index of Refraction: 1.488
Molar Refractivity: 39.2 cm³
Molar Volume: 135.8 cm³
Surface Tension: 63.5 dyne/cm
Density: 1.671 g/cm³
Flash Point: 145.7 °C
Enthalpy of Vaporization: 51.41 kJ/mol
Boiling Point: 295.8 °C at 760 mmHg
Vapour Pressure of Nitroglycerin (CAS NO.55-63-0): 0.00263 mmHg at 25 °C

 Nitroglycerin was the first practicable explosive stronger than black powder. It was synthesized by chemist Ascanio Sobrero in 1847, working under TJ Pelouze at the University of Turin.

Since the 1860s, Nitroglycerin (CAS NO.55-63-0) has been used as an active ingredient in the manufacture of explosives, specifically dynamite, and as such is employed in the construction and demolition industries. Similarly, since the 1880s, Nitroglycerin  has been used by the military as an active ingredient, and a gellatinizer for nitrocellulose, in some solid propellants, such as Cordite and Ballistite. Nitroglycerin is also used medically as a vasodilator to treat heart conditions, such as angina and chronic heart failure.

 Nitroglycerin is manufactured by slowly(and cautiously!) adding glycerol (CH₂OHCHOHCH₂OH) of high purity (99.9%+) to a mixture having the approximate composition: sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) 59.5%, nitric acid (HNO₃) 40%, and water (H₂O) 0.5%. Nitration is accomplished in agitated nitrators equipped with steel cooling coils carrying brine at 5 °C to maintain the temperature below 10 °C.
After nitration, the mixture of nitroglycerin(55-63-0) and spent acid is allowed to flow through a trough (a trough is easier to clean completely than a pipe) into separating and settling tanks some distance from the nitrator. The nitroglycerin(55-63-0) is separated from the acid and sent to the wash tank, where it is washed twice with warm water and with a 2% sodium carbonate solution to ensure the complete removal of any remaining acid. Additional washes with warm water are continued until no trace of sodium carbonate(alkalinity) is evident.

Reported in EPA TSCA Inventory. Community Right-To-Know List.

Human poison by an unspecified route. Poison experimentally by ingestion, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, and intravenous routes. An experimental teratogen. Other experimental reproductive effects. A skin irritant. Questionable carcinogen with experimental tumorigenic data. Mutation data reported. It can cause respiratory difficulties and death due to respiratory paralysis by ingestion. The acute symptoms of nitroglycerin poisoning are headaches, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, convulsions, methemoglobinemia, circulatory collapse and reduced blood pressure, excitement, vertigo, fainting, respiratory rales, and cyanosis. Toxic effects may occur by ingestion, inhalation of dust, or absorption through intact skin. Human systemic effects by intravenous route: encephalitis, miosis, corneal damage. Used as a vasodilator and as an explosive. A very dangerous fire hazard when exposed to heat, flame, or by spontaneous chemical reaction. A severe explosion hazard when shocked or exposed to O₃, heat, or flame. Nitroglycerin is a powerful explosive, very sensitive to mechanical shock, heat, or UV radiation. Small quantities of it can readily be detonated by a hammer blow on a hard surface, particularly when it has been absorbed in filter paper. It explodes when heated to 215°C. Frozen nitroglycerin is somewhat less sensitive than the liquid. However, a half-thawed or partially thawed mixture is more sensitive than either one. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of NO_x.
Hazard Codes: E,T+,N
RIDADR:  1993
PackingGroup:  I
HazardClass: 1.1A
Safety Statements:7-16-61-45-36/37-35-33
S7:Keep container tightly closed. 
S16:Keep away from sources of ignition. 
S61:Avoid release to the environment. Refer to special instructions / safety data sheets. 
S45:In case of accident or if you feel unwell, seek medical advice immediately (show the label whenever possible.) 
S36/37:Wear suitable protective clothing and gloves. 
S35:This material and its container must be disposed of in a safe way. 
S33:Take precautionary measures against static discharges.
Risk Statements: 11-51/53-33-26/27/28-3  
R11:Highly flammable. 
R51/53:Toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment. 
R33:Danger of cumulative effects. 
R26/27/28:Very toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed. 
R3:Extreme risk of explosion by shock, friction, fire or other sources of ignition.

OSHA PEL: STEL 0.1 mg/m³ (skin)
ACGIH TLV: TWA 0.05 ppm (skin)
DFG MAK: 0.05 ppm (0.47 mg/m³) (skin)
NIOSH REL: CL (Nitroglycerin or EGDN) 0.1 mg/m³/20M
DOT Classification:  EXPLOSIVE 1.1D; Label: EXPLOSIVE 1.1D, Poison (UN 0143); DOT Class: Forbidden (not desensitized); DOT Class: 3; Label: Flammable Liquid (UN 3064, UN 1204); DOT Class: EXPLOSIVE 1.1D; Label: EXPLOSIVE 1.1D (UN 0144)

For occupational chemical analysis use OSHA: #43 or NIOSH: Nitroglycerin and ETHYLENE Glycol Dinitrate, 2507.

  Nitroglycerin (CAS NO.55-63-0), its Synonyms are 1,2,3-Propanetriol, trinitrate ; 1,2,3-Propanetriyl nitrate ; Adesitrin ; Aldonitrin ; Angibid ; Anginine ; Angiolingual ; Trinitrin ; Trinitrina Erba ; Trinitrine Simple Laleuf ; Trinitroglicerina Fabra .