picric acid

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picric acid

picric acid or 2,4,6-trinitrophenol , C ₆ H ₂ (NO ₂ ) ₃ OH, a toxic yellow crystalline solid that melts at 122°C and is soluble in most organic solvents. Picric acid is a derivative of phenol . It reacts with metals to form metal picrates, which like picric acid itself are highly sensitive explosives that can be detonated by heat, flame, shock, or friction. The high explosives lyddite and melinite are composed mostly of compressed or fused picric acid. Picric acid is often used as a booster to detonate another, less sensitive explosive, such as TNT ( trinitrotoluene ). Although picric acid can be synthesized by nitration of phenol, higher yields are obtained if chlorobenzene is used as a starting material; the latter method involves several steps and the formation of several intermediate products. In addition to its use in explosives, picric acid has been used as a yellow dye, as an antiseptic, and in the synthesis of chloropicrin, or nitrotrichloromethane, CCl ₃ NO ₂ , a powerful insecticide.

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"picric acid." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 15 Nov. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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picric acid

A Dictionary of Nursing | 2008 | Â© A Dictionary of Nursing 2008, originally published by Oxford University Press 2008. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

picric acid (trinitrophenol) (pik-rik) n. a yellow crystalline solid used as a dye and as a tissue fixative.

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picric

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology | 1996 | | Â© The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology 1996, originally published by Oxford University Press 1996. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

picric (chem.) p. acid. f. Gr. pikrós bitter + -IC.

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T. F. HOAD. "picric." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 15 Nov. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

T. F. HOAD. "picric." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (November 15, 2009). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-picric.html

T. F. HOAD. "picric." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved November 15, 2009 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-picric.html

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

	Old Sample of Acid Detonated in Wis. News Wire article from: AP Online; 4/16/2007
	Foundry in blast fear. Newspaper article from: The Star (Sheffield) (Sheffield, England); 9/16/2006
	Focus on the World Explosives Market. Business Wire; 11/20/2008

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	Bomb squad detonates last of picric acid Newspaper article from: Bangor Daily News Bangor, ME; 2/18/2006; ; 700+ words ; ...containers labeled as having contained picric acid, an explosive chemical that is especially...chemical packs a powerful punch. Picric acid in crystal form is highly sensitive...Bronson said. Bronson discovered the picric acid while searching the area with...
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	ACID QUESTION POPS UP AGAIN IN CITY; BOMB SQUAD, FIREFIGHTERS REMOVE JAR THAT SAT IDLE 18 YEARS.(Local) Newspaper article from: The Post-Standard (Syracuse, NY); 8/29/2001; 699 words ; ...contain potentially explosive picric acid, out of his home, at...newspaper articles about picric acid - a liquid used to...unit, which removed the acid Monday and detonated it...be potentially explosive picric acid from a jar in the...
	Lab acid leak forces Harper evacuation Newspaper article from: Arlington Heights Post (IL); 11/16/2000; 426 words ; ...to be disposed of and came across 100 grams of picric acid that had dehydrated. Picric acid is explosive in that situation, said Judy Thorson, vice president of administrative services. Picric acid is used in dyes and explosives and is related...
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