Potassium picrate

Names
Preferred IUPAC name

Potassium 2,4,6-trinitrophenoxide

Other names

Potassium 2,4,6-trinitrophenolate; Picric acid, potassium salt

Identifiers

CAS Number

* 573-83-1 Y

3D model (JSmol)

* Interactive image

ChemSpider |

* 61732 N

EC Number |

* 209-361-0

PubChem CID

* 68454

UNII |

* I7I1601L00 Y

InChI

* InChI=1S/C6H3N3O7.K/c10-6-4(8(13)14)1-3(7(11)12)2-5(6)9(15)16;/h1-2,10H;/q;+1/p-1 N

Key: RBGOCSKFMWMTRZ-UHFFFAOYSA-M N

* InChI=1/C6H3N3O7.K/c10-6-4(8(13)14)1-3(7(11)12)2-5(6)9(15)16;/h1-2,10H;/q;+1/p-1

Key: RBGOCSKFMWMTRZ-REWHXWOFAJ

SMILES

* c1c(cc(c(c1[N+](=O)[O-])[O-])[N+](=O)[O-])[N+](=O)[O-].[K+]

Properties

Chemical formula

| C6H2KN3O7; C6H2(NO2)3OK
Molar mass | 267.194 g/mol
Density | 1.852 g/cm3
Melting point |  250 °C (482 °F; 523 K)
Boiling point | Detonates at 331 °C before boiling
Hazards
Main hazards | Explosive and toxic
GHS pictograms |
GHS Signal word | Danger

GHS hazard statements

| H200, H301, H311, H331

GHS precautionary statements

| P201, P202, P261, P264, P270, P271, P280, P281, P301+310, P302+352, P304+340, P311, P312, P321, P322, P330, P361, P363, P372, P373, P380, P401, P403+233, P405, P501

Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).

N verify (what is YN ?)
Infobox references

Potassium picrate, or potassium 2,4,6-trinitrophenolate, is an organic chemical, a picrate of potassium. It is a reddish yellow or green crystalline material. It is a primary explosive. Anhydrous potassium picrate forms orthorhombic crystals.

## Contents

* 1 History
* 2 Description
* 3 Synthesis
* 4 Sensitivity
* 5 See also
* 6 References

## History

Potassium picrate was first prepared in impure form in the mid 17th century by Johann Rudolf Glauber by dissolving wood in nitric acid and neutralizing with potassium carbonate. It is commonly made by neutralizing picric acid with potassium carbonate. It has been used in industry since the 1860s.[1]

Potassium Picrate and picric acid were formerly used in pyrotechnics to produce whistle effects, but since mixes that don't involve primary explosives have since been developed it is no longer used in that industry. Its chief applications were as a component of explosives (with potassium nitrate and charcoal), propellants (with the same substances in the poudre Dessignole of the 1870s French Navy), and in explosive primers (with lead picrate and potassium chlorate).[1]: 27

## Description

Potassium picrate is not a very powerful explosive. It is somewhat shock-sensitive. In contact with flame it deflagrates with a loud sound.[clarification needed] If ignited in confined space, it will detonate. It is more sensitive than picric acid. [1]: 27

In contact with metals (e.g. lead, calcium, iron), potassium picrate, like ammonium picrate and picric acid, forms picrates of said metals. These are often more dangerous and more sensitive explosives. Contact with such materials therefore should be prevented.

Potassium picrate is used to determine the concentration of nonionic surfactants in water; materials detectable by this method are called potassium picrate active substances (PPAS).

## Synthesis

As with other picrates, potassium picrate may be produced by the neutralization of picric acid with the corresponding carbonate. As picric acid is barely soluble in water the reaction must be done in an appropriate solvent like methanol. First dissolving the picric acid in methanol and then adding potassium carbonate will result in potassium picrate. Temperature control is important to prevent detonation or excessive methanol evaporation.

## Sensitivity

According to Urbanski, Potassium picrate detonated 10% of the time when struck by a mass of 2kg dropped from the height of 21cm. By comparison, the more sensitive anhydrous lead picrate detonated 10% of the time when struck by the same mass dropped from the height of 2cm.

## See also

* Dunnite
* Picric acid
* Lead picrate

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Kaye, Seymour M. (1978) (in en). Encyclopedia of Explosives and Related Items (8 ed.). Picatinny Arsenal, NJ, USA: U.S. ARMY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COMMAND TACOM, ARDEC WARHEADS, ENERGETICS AND COMBAT SUPPORT CENTER. p. 761. https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA057762.pdf. Retrieved 9 December 2023.

1. Urbanski, Tadeusz (1964), Chemistry and Technology of Explosives, Volume 1, New York: Pergamon Press.

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Retrieved from "https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?title=Chemistry:Potassium_picrate&oldid=490466"
*[CID]: Compound ID
*[H200]: Unstable explosive
*[H301]: Toxic if swallowed
*[H311]: Toxic in contact with skin
*[H331]: Toxic if inhaled
*[P201]: Obtain special instructions before use
*[P202]: Do not handle until all safety precautions have been read and understood
*[P261]: Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray
*[P264]: Wash … thoroughly after handling
*[P270]: Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product
*[P271]: Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area
*[P280]: Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection
*[P281]: Use personal protective equipment as required
*[P301+310]: IF SWALLOWED: Immediately call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician
*[P302+352]: IF ON SKIN: Wash with soap and water
*[P304+340]: IF INHALED: Remove victim to fresh air and keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing
*[P311]: Call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician
*[P312]: Call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician if you feel unwell
*[P321]: Specific treatment (see … on this label)
*[P322]: Specific measures (see … on this label)
*[P330]: Rinse mouth
*[P361]: Remove/Take off immediately all contaminated clothing
*[P363]: Wash contaminated clothing before reuse
*[P372]: Explosion risk in case of fire
*[P373]: DO NOT fight fire when fire reaches explosives
*[P380]: Evacuate area
*[P401]: Store …
*[P403+233]: Store in a well ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed
*[P405]: Store locked up
*[P501]: Dispose of contents/container to …