Re: What is the chemical composition of 'TNT?'

The chemical structure of the highly dangerous explosive, TNT, or TriNitroToluene is as follows:

Take a Benzene (C6H6) ring with a methlyl group (CH3) attached to it (toluene), and then add three Nitro groups (NO2) to the ring in the 2,4,and 6 positions (where the CH3 group is at position 1.) Therefore, you have a Methyl (CH3) group with two NO2 groups immediately either side of it, and one NO2 immediately opposite.

                                    CH3
                                    |
                                    C
                                  /  \\
                             O2N-C    C-NO2
                                 ||   |
                                 C    C
                                  \\ /
                                    C
                                    |
                                    NO2

Stefan Atrill