Trinitroanisole

Trinitroanisole is a chemical compound that exists as pale yellow crystals with a melting point of 68 °C. It is highly toxic. It is an explosive with a detonation velocity of 7200 meters per second. The compound's primary hazard is a blast of an instantaneous explosion, not flying projectiles or fragments.

Synthesis
Trinitroanisole was first prepared in 1849 by the French chemist Auguste Cahours by reacting p-anisic acid (French: acide anisique) with a mixture of sulfuric acid and fuming nitric acid.

Trinitroanisole can be prepared by the reaction of 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene with methanol in the presence of sodium hydroxide followed by the nitration of the resulting product. Alternatively, it can be prepared directly by the reaction of picryl chloride with methanol in the presence of sodium hydroxide.

Molecular Formula
C7H5N3O7

Synonyms

 * 2-Methoxy-1,3,5-trinitrobenzene
 * Methyl picrate
 * 2,4,6-TRINITROANISOLE
 * 606-35-9
 * Ether, methyl picryl

Use
Historically, trinitroanisole was used as a military explosive (e.g., Japanese Type 91 or German Trinol), having the advantage of being made from readily obtainable raw materials such as phenol. However, due to its toxicity and tendency to form picric acid and dangerous picrate salts, its use has largely been abandoned.