| abstract |
A method of preparing nitroform (trinitromethane) by nitrating a starting material which is dissolved or suspended in sulphuric acid. A nitrating agent consisting of nitric acid, nitrate salts or nitrogen pentoxide is added to the sulphuric acid solution/suspension at a temperature from -10°C to +80°C. The starting material is selected from a group consisting of a) a gem-dinitroacetyl urea with the general formula wherein Y is H or a group, wherein Y is an alkoxy or amino group, and salts thereof; b) gem-dinitroacetyl guanidine, and c) 4,6-hydroxypyrimidine. In nitration, a gem-trinitro compound is formed which in hydrolysis splits off nitroform. |