[wyrdbeer]

Hi All

can some one please help, i am trying to find the reaction mechanism for the decomposition of nitroglycerin. I know the overall reaction is

4C₃H₅N₃O₉ -> 6N₂ + 12CO + H₂O +7O₂

but i can not find any info (through web searches) on the in between steps and I am not too sure where to begin to work it out for my self... can someone point me in the right direction

[UnintentionalChaos]

That reaction is based upon internal redox chemistry. Go find an inorganic chemistry textbook and learn the half reactions method. Consider the formal oxidation states of the different carbons in the glycerol molecule and the oxidation state of nitrogen in the nitrate groups as opposed to as free nitrogen gas. Also, your equation is incorrect. You will find that the products should be 6N2 + 12CO2 + 10H20 + O2.

[Mitch]

A step by step reaction mechanism would be a bit silly for the amount of free energy in this reaction.

[wyrdbeer]

Thanks for the reply

i was kind of thinking it was all going to be a bit messy. i was just being hope full that there was some literature somewhere on it.

PS thanks for spotting the error Chaos