An economical method is described for preparation of the explosive bis-nitroxyethylnitroöxamide from oxalic acid and monoethanolamine. Yields over 80% of theoretical may be obtained from bis-hydroxyethyloxamide by either batch or continuous process. The crude product must be purified before use by acetone-water crystallization. The formation of this explosive is found to be inhibited by nitrosylsulphuric acid which limits the nitration to the bis-nitroxyethyloxamide stage. The complete reaction is thought to proceed via this intermediate by a nonreversible nitration and then to decompose reversibly, if allowed to proceed too long, to bis-hydroxyethylnitroöxamide. There is some evidence that the explosive is stabilized by its decomposition products. The use of this high explosive does not present the industrial health hazard caused by tetryl, with which it is comparable in power and brisance. Furthermore, it has the advantage over tetryl that it can be melted and poured. The solidified melt is unique among explosives because it is free from gross cavities.
Water Crystallization in Highly Concentrated Carbohydrate-Based Systems
