Urea nitrate

Colorless crystals

Fixed

1.69 g · cm -3

152 ° C ( decomposition)

Poorly in cold and well in warm water

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Urea nitrate ( chemical structure H2N -CO -NH 2 · HNO 3 ) is the skin and mucous irritant urea salt of nitric acid.

Production and representation

Urea nitrate can be represented by carefully entering a saturated urea solution in nitric acid, followed by filtration of the precipitated crystals. Since the reaction is highly exothermic especially at high acid concentration, you should always pay attention to the synthesis of urea nitrate sufficient cooling of the reaction mixture.

Properties

Physical Properties

Urea nitrate forms colorless crystals with a melting point of 152 ° C, which are prone to explosive decomposition.

Chemical Properties

Since urea nitrate is the salt of a weak base and a strong acid, it reacts acidic in aqueous solution. It is readily soluble in hot water.

Mixtures with magnesium powder can spontaneously under heat and gas development (including NOx) react. Related dangerous reactions are to be expected from mixtures with other base metals, and other reducing agents.

Use

Urea nitrate is used as a metal cleaning or dressing in up to five percent aqueous solution due to the liberated nitric acid in the solution. Because of the contained nitric acid urea nitrate is as a reactant for explosives. In the Middle East it is being increasingly used by bombers directly as an explosive; it developed namely when it is ignited initially, but 70 percent of the explosive yield of TNT is considerably cheaper to produce and easier. Due to its water solubility and mainly because of its corrosive effect and its thermal instability (decomposition starting at 152 ° C), however, it is unsuitable as a military explosives and found next to his unprofessional use in attacks little use.

Terms of Use

Urea nitrate is dry or with less than 20 % by weight of water an explosive within the meaning of Article 1, paragraph 2 and 3 of Directive 93/15/EEC.