The Chemistry of Powder and Explosives - Sciencemadness Dot Org

PICRIC ACID 161
dinitrophenol as removed contains some picric acid, but this is of
no disadvantage because the material is to be mixed with picric
acid anyway for use as an explosive.
Preparation of Picric Acid (Standard Method). Twenty-five grams of
phenol and 25 grams of concentrated sulfuric acid {d. 1.84) in a round-
FIGUBE 48. Commercial Sample of Picric Acid (25X).
bottom flask equipped with an air condenser are heated together for
6 hours in an oil bath at 120°. After the material has cooled, it is
diluted with 75 grams of 72 per cent sulfuric acid (d. 1.64). To the
resulting solution, in an Erlenmeyer flask in the hood, 175 cc. of 70 per
cent nitric acid (d. 1.42) is added slowly, a drop at a time, from a dropping
funnel. When all the nitric acid has been added and the vigorous
reaction has subsided, the mixture is heated for 2 hours on the steam
bath to complete the nitration. The next morning the picric acid will
be found to have separated in crystals. These are transferred to a
porcelain filter, washed with small portions of water until the washings
are free from sulfate, and dried in the air. The crude product, which is
equal in quality to a good commercial sample, is purified by boiling it