Nitrostarch
Chemical compound
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
| 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).
| |
The solubility, detonation velocity, and impact sensitivity depend heavily on the level of nitration.[2]
Synthesis
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]
History
Nitrostarch was first discovered by French chemist and pharmacist Henri Braconnot.[3]
Franz von Uchatius formulated an early smokless propellant out of Nitrated starch, but it was not adopted due to superiority of nitrocellulose based competitors.[4]
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.[5]
During World War I, it was used as a filler in hand grenades.[6]
