Chemical Properties
Yellow crystals. Insoluble inwater; soluble
in alcohol, ether, benzene, glacial acetic acid.
Definition
ChEBI: A nitramine that is methylamine in which one of the hydrogens attached to the nitrogen is substituted by a nitro group while the other is substituted by a 2,4,6-trinitrophenyl group. A yellow crystalline powder, it is a high explosive, capable of being det
nated by friction, shock, or a spark.
Uses
As indicator, 0.1 g in 60 ml alcohol with water to make 100 ml. pH: 10.8 colorless, 13.0 reddish-brown. One to five drops of solution required for 10 ml liquid. Salt error said to be small. Also used in explosives.
General Description
A yellow crystalline solid high explosive. Toxic by ingestion and skin absorption. A skin irritant. Will explode if heated above 370°F. Used as a detonating explosive. The primary hazard is the blast of an instantaneous explosion and not flying projectiles and fragments.
Reactivity Profile
During the measurement of the shock sensitivity of a mixture containing hydrazine, a drop of the hydrazine mixture fell on a TETRYL explosive. The TETRYL immediately burst into flames (ASESB 105).
Hazard
Dangerous fire and explosion risk. Skin
irritant, absorbed by skin. Upper respiratory tract
irritant.
Fire Hazard
MAY EXPLODE AND THROW FRAGMENTS 1600 meters (1 MILE) OR MORE IF FIRE REACHES CARGO.
Potential Exposure
Tetryl is used in explosives; as an intermediary detonating agent; and as a booster charge for military devices; it is also used as a chemical indicator. No longer manufactured or used in the United States.
First aid
If this chemical gets into the eyes, remove any contact lenses at once and irrigate immediately for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical contacts the skin, remove contaminated clothing and wash immediately with soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical has been inhaled, remove from exposure, begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions, including resuscitation mask) if breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. Transfer promptly to a medical facility. When this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention. Give large quantities of water and induce vomiting. Do not make an unconscious person vomit.
Shipping
UN0208 Tetryl, Hazard Class: 1.1D; Labels:1.1D-Explosives (with a mass explosion hazard); D-Substances or articles which may mass detonate (with blast and/or fragment hazard) when exposed to fire.
Incompatibilities
Violent reaction with hydrazine; reducing agents, oxidizable materials. May explosively decompose from heat, shock, friction, or concussion. Explosive decomposition/detonation from heat takes approximately 1000 seconds @ 160℃; 0.1 seconds @ 500℃.
Description
This fully reduced quinoline type alkaloid has recently been obtained from the
above-ground parts of Nitraria schoberi. The structure has been determined by
ultraviolet, infrared, NMR and mass spectrometry. One hydroxyl and one methyl
group are present and the alkaloid may be dehydrogenated in the presence of
Pd-C to furnish 8-methylquinoline.
Waste Disposal
Solution in acetone and incineration in furnace equipped with afterburner and caustic soda solution scrubber.
Health Hazard
There is very little information on the human toxicity of this compound. A dose of 5000 mg/kg given subcutaneously was lethal to dogs (NIOSH 1986).
Carcinogenicity
A number of in vitro genotoxic assays in
bacteria and fungi suggest that tetryl is a directacting
genotoxin.
Environmental Fate
Chemical/Physical. Produces highly toxic nitrogen oxides on decomposition (Lewis, 1990).
References
Novgorodova, Maekh, Yunusov., Khirn. Prir. Soedin., 9, 196 (1973)
