chemical compound
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External Websites
- Delaware Health and Social Services - 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene
- National Center for Biotechnology Information - 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene
- National Institute of Standards and Technology - Chemistry WebBook - Trinitrotoluene
- NOAA Cameo Chemicals - Trinitrotoluene
- National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubChem - Trinitrotoluene
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies.Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Thank you for your feedback
Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.
External Websites
- Delaware Health and Social Services - 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene
- National Center for Biotechnology Information - 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene
- National Institute of Standards and Technology - Chemistry WebBook - Trinitrotoluene
- NOAA Cameo Chemicals - Trinitrotoluene
- National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubChem - Trinitrotoluene
Also known as: TNT
Written and fact-checked by
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Last Updated: •Article History
Category: Science & Tech
- Related Topics:
- nitro compound
- high explosive
- On the Web:
- NOAA Cameo Chemicals - Trinitrotoluene (Mar. 08, 2024)
trinitrotoluene (TNT), a pale yellow, solid organic nitrogen compound used chiefly as an explosive, prepared by stepwise nitration of toluene. Because TNT melts at 82° C (178° F) and does not explode below 240° C (464° F), it can be melted in steam-heated vessels and poured into casings. It is relatively insensitive to shock and cannot be exploded without a detonator. For these reasons it is the most favoured chemical explosive, extensively used in munitions and for demolitions.
