trinitrotoluene
(traɪˌnaɪtrəʊˈtɒljuːiːn)
[f. trinitro- + toluene s.v. tolu-.]
Any of three isomeric nitro derivatives, CH3C6H2(NO2)3, of toluene, esp. the 2,4,6-isomer, used as a high explosive that is relatively insensitive to shock and can be conveniently melted. Abbrev. T.N.T. s.v. T 6 a. Also † triˌnitroˈtoluol [toluol s.v. tolu-], in the same sense.
| 1908 Chem. Abstr. II. 459 The trinitrotoluene is preferable because it leaves no poisonous gases after explosion..and can be added to safety explosives. 1910 Trinitrotoluol [see trotyl]. 1915 Kipling Fringes of Fleet 21 We lay doggo in twelve-fathom water With tri-nitro-toluol hogging our run. 1916 Yorkshire Post 27 Mar. 5/1 Contact with tri-nitrotoluol may result in the occurrence of troublesome skin affections. 1917 Causation & Prevention Tri-nitro-toluene (T.N.T.) Poisoning (Nat. Health Insurance) 9 The material known commercially as T.N.T. is mainly composed of one of the three isomeric tri-nitro-toluenes. 1964 N. G. Clark Mod. Org. Chem. xx. 402 All the existing substituents direct to one position in the nucleus, and the product is 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene, the well-known explosive TNT. 1973 ‘A. Hall’ Tango Briefing xviii. 227 It has the equivalent of one hundred tons of trinitrotoluene. |