Urea nitrate

Urea nitrate
Identifiers
CAS Number	124-47-0 ;
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image;
ChemSpider	29035 ;
ECHA InfoCard	100.004.276
PubChem CID	31295;
UNII	DHJ35702MG ;
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID60924672 ;
	InChI InChI=1S/CH4N2O.HNO3/c22-1(3)4/h(H4,2,3,4);(H,2,3,4) Key: AYTGUZPQPXGYFS-UHFFFAOYSA-N ; InChI=1/CH4N2O.HNO3/c22-1(3)4/h(H4,2,3,4);(H,2,3,4) Key: AYTGUZPQPXGYFS-UHFFFAOYAL;
	SMILES C(=O)(N)N.[N+](=O)(O)[O-];
Properties
Chemical formula	CH5N3O4
Molar mass	123.068 g/mol
Density	1.67±0.011 g/cm3 [1]
Melting point	157–159 °C (315–318 °F; 430–432 K)
Solubility in water	167.2±0.5 mg/mL [1]
Solubility	Ethanol 14.2±0.1 mg/mL Methanol 54.8±0.9 mg/mL Acetone 10.4±0.2 mg/mL [1]
Explosive data
Shock sensitivity	Very low
Friction sensitivity	Very low
Detonation velocity	4700 m/s
Hazards
GHS pictograms
GHS Signal word	Danger
GHS hazard statements	H201, H271, H301, H304, H314, H332
GHS precautionary statements	P220, P233, P260, P250, P305+351+338
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)	1 2 3
	Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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	Infobox references

Urea nitrate is a fertilizer-based high explosive that has been used in improvised explosive devices in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, and various other terrorist acts elsewhere in the world, like the 1993 World Trade Center bombings.[2] It has a destructive power similar to better-known ammonium nitrate explosives, with a velocity of detonation between 11,155 ft/s (3,400 m/s) and 15,420 ft/s (4,700 m/s).[3]

Urea nitrate is produced in one step by reaction of urea with nitric acid. This is an exothermic reaction, so steps must be taken to control the temperature.

Urea nitrate explosions may be initiated using a blasting cap.[3]

Chemistry

Urea contains a carbonyl group. The more electronegative oxygen atom pulls electrons away from the carbon forming a greater electron density around the oxygen, giving the oxygen a partial negative charge and forming a polar bond. When nitric acid is presented, it ionizes. A hydrogen cation contributed by the acid is attracted to the oxygen and forms a covalent bond [electrophile H⁺]. The electronegative NO₃⁻ ion then is attracted to the positive hydrogen ion. This forms an ionic bond and hence the compound urea nitrate.

(NH₂)₂CO (aq) + HNO₃ (aq) → (NH₂)₂COHNO₃ (s)

The compound is favored by many amateur explosive enthusiasts as a principal explosive for use in larger charges. In this role it acts as a substitute for ammonium nitrate based explosives. This is due to the ease of acquiring the materials necessary to synthesize it, and its greater sensitivity to initiation compared to ammonium nitrate based explosives.

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References

Oxley, Jimmie & Smith, James & Vadlamannati, Sravanthi & Brown, Austin & Zhang, Guang & Swanson, Devon & Canino, Jonathan. (2013). Synthesis and Characterization of Urea Nitrate and Nitrourea. Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics. 38. 10.1002/prep.201200178.
Aaron Rowe (18 September 2007). "Chem Lab: Spray-On Test for Improvised Explosives". Wired.
"Explosives - ANFO (Ammonium Nitrate - Fuel Oil)". GlobalSecurity.org.

Urea nitrate

Chemistry

References

Further reading