Trinitrotoluene

+**Trinitrotoluene (TNT)**, specifically in this context, refers to a family of [organic compounds](/wiki/organic_compound)resulting from the [nitration](/wiki/nitration) of [toluene](/wiki/toluene). While the most well-known [trinitrotoluene](/wiki/trinitrotoluene) is [2,4,6-trinitrotoluene](/wiki/246_trinitrotoluene) (2,4,6-TNT), the term can also encompass other positional [isomers](/wiki/isomer)depending on where the three [nitro groups](/wiki/nitro_group) attach to the [toluene](/wiki/toluene) molecule. These [compounds](/wiki/compound) are often studied for their potential applications in [energetic materials](/wiki/energetic_material) and as [chemical intermediates](/wiki/chemical_intermediate).

+### **Chemical Structure and Isomers**

+[Toluene](/wiki/toluene) is a [benzene ring](/wiki/benzene_ring) with a [methyl group](/wiki/methyl_group) (-CH3) attached. [Nitration](/wiki/nitration) involves the addition of [nitro groups](/wiki/nitro_group) (-NO2) to the [benzene ring](/wiki/benzene_ring). Because there are six positions on the ring where a [nitro group](/wiki/nitro_group) can potentially attach (excluding the [carbon](/wiki/carbon) atom attached to the [methyl group](/wiki/methyl_group)), multiple [isomers](/wiki/isomer) of [trinitrotoluene](/wiki/trinitrotoluene) are theoretically possible. However, due to [steric hindrance](/wiki/steric_hindrance) (the spatial arrangement of atoms affecting [reactivity](/wiki/reactivity)), not all [isomers](/wiki/isomer) are equally easy to [synthesize](/wiki/synthesis) or [stable](/wiki/stable). The most common and commercially important [isomer](/wiki/isomer)is [2,4,6-trinitrotoluene](/wiki/246_trinitrotoluene), where the [nitro groups](/wiki/nitro_group) are located at the 2, 4, and 6 positions relative to the [methyl group](/wiki/methyl_group). Other potential [isomers](/wiki/isomer) include, but are not limited to:

+- 2,3,4-Trinitrotoluene

+- 2,3,5-Trinitrotoluene

+**Trinitrotoluene** (TNT) is a highly stable [explosive](/wiki/Explosive) [chemical compound](/wiki/Chemical_Compound). Widely known for its destructive power, it serves as a standard measure of energy release in [warfare](/wiki/Warfare) and demolition.

+## See also

+- [Explosive](/wiki/Explosive)

+- [Demolition](/wiki/Demolition)

+- [Detonation](/wiki/Detonation)