Experiments with explosives: Nitrogen Triiodide

You may have heard of the famous explosive 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene, also known as TNT, or 2,4,6-trinitrophenol, commonly called Picric acid. While these explosives may be famous in their own right, it's hard to get your hands on them, and I certainly advise you not to even think about doing so. However, there is another explosive which, albeit less famous, is a greatly shock sensitive compound. It is known as touch powder, or Nitrogen Triiodide.

A word of caution: if you are interested in making this, please do so under adult supervision if you do not have enough lab experience. Also, prepare very minute amounts of this compound, because it can be really dangerous.

Dry nitrogen triiodide, a purplish black powder .


In its completely dry form, the compound is so unstable that it would detonate at the touch of a feather. This is due to the fact that the small nitrogen atom is hardly able to coordinate three large iodine atoms. Thus, the reaction for its decomposition has a very low activation energy, and in addition, the stability of the nitrogen molecule is very high. The compound decomposes into nitrogen gas and elemental iodine, with a loud bang. Thus, it's always advisable to use protective goggles while dealing with this, and always ensure the room is well ventilated while preparing it, because one of the reactants has a very pungent smell. Also note that the compound is relatively less sensitive as long as it's wet.

To prepare nitrogen triiodide, you require:

• 15 mL of concentrated ammonia solution

• 0.5 grams of elemental iodine, finely ground

• Concentrated sodium hydroxide solution (although this has no role in the preparation of the compound, it is of utmost importance that you get this, because you will need it to destroy any remaining traces of the explosive.)

• Sodium thiosulphate solution, to remove the iodine stains left behind by the compound.

METHOD:

• In a well ventilated room, take some ammonia solution in a plastic or glass container [WARNING: DO NOT INHALE THE VAPOURS OF THE SOLUTION UNDER ANY COST]. 

• To the solution, add the finely ground iodine, stir the mixture thoroughly, and cover the mouth of the container with a lid to prevent any foreign particles from falling in. Leave the mixture in a cool dark place for about half an hour.

• After half an hour, open the lid with great care, and filter it very carefully through a filter paper. Collect the wet residue, and let it dry in a cool dark place on a plastic dish, taking extreme care not to disturb it even by an iota. Remember, even a mosquito landing on it can trigger it off. Rinse the container with sodium hydroxide solution into the container to destroy any remaining traces of the explosive,

• After it dries, take out the dried residue, and with extreme care, exert some force on it, taking care to keep your face away from it. You may need to apply some extra force if your explosive does not detonate right away.

• Clean the surroundings with the sodium hydroxide solution. To remove any stains of iodine left by the explosive, rub some sodium thiosulphate solution onto it.

A demonstration of exploding nitrogen triiodide

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