Introduction - Liquid Explosives - page 8

(5) TNEOF and TNEOC
Both TNEOF and TNEOC have extremely excellent chemical stability. Even in
the air for a long time, they would be neither deteriorated, nor decomposed. It does
not have hygroscopicity, not dissolve into water, and not react with acids. It would
not be decomposed in dilute hydrochloric acid and sulphuric acid, but

it is

decomposed in NaOH aqueous solution to release formaldehyde odor.
The explosion point of TNEOF is 229 ° C. At 190 ° C, it begins to be decom-

posed. Its explosion heat is 6.3076 J/g and speci c volume is 682 L/kg. The

explosion point of TNEOC is 238 ° C. It begins to be decomposed at 200 ° C. Its

explosion heat is 5.797 J/g and speci c volume is 694 L/kg. Both compounds are

susceptible to be initiated by the 6th detonator.
In the synthesis of TNEOF and TNFOC, trinitroethanol reacts with chloroform
or carbon tetrachloride under a catalyst of FeCl 3 . The synthesis mechanism can be
expressed as following equations [ 21 , 22 ]:

FeCl

CHCl + 3HOCH C(NO ) ⊯ ⊯ₒ TNEOF + 3HCl

3

3 2 2 3

FeCl

CCl + 4HOCH C(NO ) ⊯ ⊯ₒ TNEOC + 4HCl

3

4 2 2 3

The procedure of TNEOF and TNEOC synthesis are described as follows:
Dry trinitroethanol of 100 g, chloroform of 220 mL, and anhydrous ferric
chloride of 15 g are added to a 500 mL three-necked fl flask equipped with a con-

denser. The mixture would be re uxed on a water bath for 12 h and then cooled

down. Diethyl ether of 1,500 mL is added to the reaction solution. The diethyl ether
is then removed by a separatory funnel. The remaining is washed by water and then
vacuum distilled to remove more diethyl ether. The obtained crude TNEOF is
dissolved into benzene. The solution is recrystallized from n-hexane solution.
Colorless crystals of pure TNEOF of 83 g with melting point of 128

fl

° C can be

obtained. The final yield is about 77 %.

Similar with the above procedure for TNEOC synthesis, dry trinitroethanol of
50 g, carbon tetrachloride of 110 mL, and anhydrous ferric chloride of 4 g are in
reaction for 8 h. After cooling, the remaining carbon tetrachloride is removed by

C and then put in dilute hydrochloric
acid to gradually remove ferric chloride. Colorless crystals of pure TNEOF of
46.2 g with melting point of 161

filtration. The solid is vacuum dried at 60 °

° C can be obtained after puri cation by chloro-

form. The final yield is about 92.4 %.

1.3.2 Combustible Agents

The combustible agents of liquid explosive mixture include hydrocarbons, nitro
compounds, hydrazine, and aluminum. The combustible agents used in condensed
composite explosives can be used as combustible agents of liquid explosives.