Hexanitrostilbene

Hexanitrostilbene (HNS), also called JD-X, is an organic compound with the formula [(O₂N)₃C₆H₂CH]₂. It is a yellow-orange solid.^[1] It is used as a heat-resistant high explosive. It is slightly soluble (0.1 - 5 g/100 mL) in butyrolactone, DMF, DMSO, and N-methylpyrrolidone.

Hexanitrostilbene

Names
Preferred IUPAC name 1,1′-[(E)-Ethane-1,2-diyl]bis(2,4,6-trinitrobenzene)
Other names 1,2-bis-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)-ethylene; hexanitrodiphenylethylene, HNS
Identifiers
CAS Number	20062-22-0 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChemSpider	10760172 Y
ECHA InfoCard	100.039.525
PubChem CID	253628
UN number	0392 TNT mixtures: 0388, 0389
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID10864918
InChI InChI=1S/C14H6N6O12/c21-15(22)9-5-3-7(11(17(25)26)13(9)19(29)30)1-2-8-4-6-10(16(23)24)14(20(31)32)12(8)18(27)28/h1-6H/b2-1+ Y Key: LQXXGLZCVKSCEV-OWOJBTEDSA-N Y InChI=1/C14H6N6O12/c21-15(22)9-5-3-7(11(17(25)26)13(9)19(29)30)1-2-8-4-6-10(16(23)24)14(20(31)32)12(8)18(27)28/h1-6H/b2-1+ Key: LQXXGLZCVKSCEV-OWOJBTEDBF
SMILES O=N(=O)C1=CC(N(=O)=O)=C(/C=C/C2=C(N(=O)=O)C=C(N(=O)=O)C=C2N(=O)=O)C(N(=O)=O)=C1
Properties
Chemical formula	C14H6N6O12
Molar mass	450.23 g/mol
Appearance	Yellow crystalline powder
Density	1.7 g/cm3
Melting point	316 °C (601 °F; 589 K)
Explosive data
Shock sensitivity	Low
Friction sensitivity	Low
Detonation velocity	7000 m/s
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Y verify (what is YN ?) Infobox references

Production and use

It is produced by oxidizing trinitrotoluene (TNT) with a solution of sodium hypochlorite. HNS boasts a higher insensitivity to heat than TNT, and like TNT it is insensitive to impact. When casting TNT, HNS is added at 0.5% to form erratic micro-crystals within the TNT, which prevent cracking.^[1] Because of its insensitivity but high explosive properties, HNS is used in space missions. It was the main explosive fill in the seismic source generating mortar ammunition canisters used as part of the Apollo Lunar Active Seismic Experiments.^[2]

Its heat of detonation is 4 kJ/g.^[3]

It was developed by Kathryn Grove Shipp at the U.S. Naval Ordnance Laboratory in the 1960s and has been improved on since then.^[4]

See also

• TNT equivalent
• RE factor

References

1. Jacques Boileau, Claude Fauquignon, Bernard Hueber and Hans H. Meyer "Explosives" in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, 2009, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim. doi:10.1002/14356007.a10_143.pub2
2. NASA reference publication
3. Hexanitrostilbene and Its Properties^{[permanent dead link‍]}
4. Peter Golding, Asoka M. Jayaweera-Bandara, Henry Duffin, "Production of HNS" Patent 5023386. Filed: January 4, 1990.