R. Meyer J. Köhler A. Homburg Explosives

169 Hexanitrodiphenylaminoethyl Nitrate
detonation velocity, confined:
7200 m/s = 23600ft/s at r = 1.60 g/cm3 deflagration point: 250 °C = 480 °F
impact sensitivity: 0.75 kp m = 7.5 N m
friction sensitivity: up to 353 N
no reaction
critical diameter of steel sleeve test: 5 mm
This explosive is toxic (the dust attacks the skin and mucous membranes)
and light-sensitive. It is insoluble in water and most organic
solvents. It forms sensitive acid salts.
It is prepared by nitration of asym-dinitrodiphenylamine with concentrated
nitric acid. Asym-Dinitrodiphenylamine is formed by condensation
of dinitrochlorobenzene with aniline.
Its stability and brisance, as well as its sensitivity, are somewhat higher
than those of picric acid.
Hexanitrodiphenylamine has been employed in underwater explosives
in the form of pourable mixtures with TNT and aluminum powder.
Since hexanitrodiphenylamine is toxic and is strongly colored, such
mixtures are replaced by better ones (W Torpex; W HBX).
By itself hexanitrodiphenylamine is an explosive with a relatively low
sensitivity to heat.
The compound has been used as a precipitant for potassium.
Specifications
melting point: not less than 230 °C = 446 °F
insolubles in 1 : 3 pyridine
acetone mixture: not more than 0.1 %
Hexanitrodiphenylaminoethyl Nitrate
Hexanitrodiphenylaminoethylnitrat; nitrate
d’hexanitrodiphényleaminoéthyle
pale yellow platelets
empirical formula: C14H8N8O15
molecular weight: 528.3
oxygen balance: –51.5%
nitrogen content: 21.21%
melting point: 184 °C = 363 °F
deflagration point: 390– 400 °C = 735–750 °F