Nitramine
Definition
A cyclic explosive in which the nitro groups are attached to nitrogen atoms within the ring (N-NO2), as in RDX and HMX. Nitramines achieve higher detonation velocities than aromatic nitro compounds because the N-N bond is weaker than C-N and energy release is faster.
- Bond type
- N-NO2, nitro group on ring nitrogen
- Examples
- RDX, HMX
- Structure
- Cyclic
- Property
- Higher detonation velocity than aromatic nitro explosives
Common questions
Why do nitramines detonate faster than aromatic nitro explosives like TNT?+
The N-NO2 bond in a nitramine is weaker than the ring C-N or C-NO2 bonds in an aromatic nitro compound, so the molecule fragments and releases energy more quickly, giving nitramines higher detonation velocities for comparable molecular weight.
Is every cyclic explosive a nitramine?+
No. What defines a nitramine is specifically that the nitro groups attach to ring nitrogen atoms, as in RDX and HMX, not merely that the explosive molecule happens to be cyclic.
Related terms
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- DNT Isomers (2,4-DNT and 2,6-DNT)
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- HMTD (Hexamethylene Triperoxide Diamine)
- A peroxide explosive analogue of TATP, synthesised from hexamine (hexamethylenetetramine), hydrogen peroxide, and citric acid. Similar sensitivity profile. Detected by LC-MS/MS as...
- Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS)
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- Nitro Compound
- A molecule containing one or more -NO2 (nitro) groups covalently bonded to carbon. TNT is an aromatic nitro compound; PETN is a...
- Organic Peroxide Explosive
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- Oxygen Balance
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- Sublimation (TATP Context)
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