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330 CHEMISTRY AND TECHNOLOGY OF EXPLOSIVES;

in the meta position to the CH 3 group, is rather mobile as it is in the ortho or para

position to other nitro groups. Such mobile nitro groups are easily substituted. Here

are the characteristic reactions, as shown by the most important γ− isomer.

Reactions with alkalis

The unsymmetrical isomers of trinitrotoluene readily react with aqueous solu-

tions of sodium or potasium hydroxide, forming salts of dinitrocresol (Will [37]):

(25)

The reaction can take place at room temperature. The reaction with sodium car-

bonate at a temperature corresponding to the boiling point of alcohol, occurs in

a similar way.

Brady [137] found that a concentrated solution of sodium acetate acted on

unsymmetrical trinitrotoluene in a way similar to the action of weak alkalis, giving

the corresponding dinitrocresols. Under such conditions less ill-defined amorphous

products were obtained than in the reaction with strong alkalis, where they were

formed in great quantities.

Under the influence of an alcoholic solution of sodium- or potassium methoxide

or ethoxide one of the nitro groups may be replaced by the methoxy or ethoxy

group :

(26)

Sodium hydroxide gives the following colour reactions with the unsymmetrical

isomers of trinitrotoluene (Table 79).

TABLE 79

COLOUR REACTIONS OF THE UNSYMMETRICAL ISOMERS OF TRINITROTOLUNE WITH

SODIUM HYDROXIDE

Sodium hydroxide

Isomer

in acetone solution in alcohol-acetone solution

β violet, bright green, bright

γ violet-greyish blue with a violet tinge

η light pink red

Ammonia gives similar colour reactions.