can somebody solve this reaction that i have seen in a book

Chemistry and homework help forum.

Organic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Physical Chemistry, Computational Chemistry, Theoretical Chemistry, High School Chemistry, Colledge Chemistry and University Chemistry Forum.

Share your chemistry ideas, discuss chemical problems, ask for help with scientific chemistry questions, inspire others by your chemistry vision!

Please feel free to start a scientific chemistry discussion here!

Discuss chemistry homework problems with experts!

Ask for help with chemical questions and help others with your chemistry knowledge!

Moderators: Xen, expert, ChenBeier

Post Reply
viggen
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2012 12:38 pm

can somebody solve this reaction that i have seen in a book

Post by viggen »

(CH3)C6H2(NO2)3 + Hg(CNO)2 = ?
GrahamKemp
Distinguished Member
Distinguished Member
Posts: 396
Joined: Mon Mar 19, 2012 10:12 pm

Re: can somebody solve this reaction that i have seen in a b

Post by GrahamKemp »

viggen wrote:(CH3)C6H2(NO2)3 + Hg(CNO)2 = ?
Oh, ha ha! :D Hahahahah...

Heh. Its' not an actual reaction as such. I suspect the book was engaging in a chemistry pun, being a play on words (or symbols).

The compounds are Trinitrotoluene and Mercury Fulminate.

Mercury Fulminate is a primary explosive, highly sensitive to friction and shock, used as a trigger for other explosives. Trinitrotoluene is, of course, T.N.T..

In other words: Explosive + Detonator = Earth Shattering Kaboom!

_____________________________________________________________

PS: A little googling turns up this quote. I knew it sounded familiar.
Aldous Huxley wrote:From Brave New World (1932)

"(CH3)C6H2(NO2)3 + Hg(CNO)2 = well, what? An enormous hole in the ground, a pile of masonry, some bits of flesh and mucus, a foot, with the boot still on it, flying through the air and landing, flop, in the middle of the geraniums–the scarlet ones; such a splendid show that summer!"
Classic! Probably the origin of the "smoking boots" schtich.
Post Reply