The Chemistry of Powder and Explosives - Sciencemadness Dot Org

Butylene Glycol Dinitrate
NITROERYTHRITE 235
Of the four isomeric butylene glycols, the 1,3-compound appears
to be the only one which has attracted any interest as a
raw material for the preparation of explosives. Its dinitrate,
either alone or in admixture with nitroglycerin, has been proposed
for use in non-freezing dynamites. 61 The preparation of the
glycol from acetaldehyde has been suggested, 62 the acetaldehyde
being condensed to aldol and the aldol reduced to glycol. Since
acetaldehyde is produced commercially by the catalyzed hydration
of acetylene, then butylene glycol-1,3 can be procured by
synthesis from coke.
Coke
CaC2
CHO CHO CHj-OH CH— ONO,
Butylene glycol shows a strong tendency to oxidize during
nitration, and ought to be nitrated at a temperature of — 5° or
lower. Butylene glycol dinitrate is a colorless liquid, intermediate
in volatility between nitroglycol and nitroglycerin, possessing a
specific gravity of 1.32 at 15°. It does not freeze at temperatures
as low as —20°. It yields a good gelatin with collodion nitrocotton.
It deflagrates feebly if heated suddenly. It is very insensitive
to mechanical shock but detonates easily by initiation.
Naoum 83 reports that a mixture of 75% butylene glycol dinitrate
and 25% kieselguhr gave about 240 cc. expansion in the Trauzl
test, and that a gelatin containing 90% butylene glycol dinitrate
and 10% collodion nitrocotton gave about 370 cc.
Nitroerythrite (Erythritol tetranitrate)
NO2—O—CH2— (CH—ONO2)2—CH2—ONO2
i-Erythrite occurs in algae and in lichens. It is a white, crystalline,
sweet-tasting substance, very readily soluble in water, m.p.
120°, b.p. 330°, specific gravity 1.59. The tetranitrate is prepared
61 U. S. Pats. 994,841 and 994,842 (1911).
62 U. S. Pat. 1,008333 (1911).
63 Op. cit., p. 239.