Methyl nitrate

Methyl nitrate is the methyl ester of nitric acid and has the chemical formula CH3NO3.

Methyl nitrate is toxic and a sensitive explosive. It causes headaches when fumes are inhaled. It can be produced by the condensation of nitric acid and methanol:


 * CH3OH + HNO3 CH3NO3 + H2O

When ignited it burns extremely fiercely with a gray-blue flame.

Methyl nitrate can be produced on a laboratory or industrial scale either through the distillation of a mixture of methanol and nitric acid, or by the nitration of methanol by a mixture of sulfuric and nitric acids. The first procedure is not preferred due to the great explosion danger presented by the methyl nitrate vapour. The second procedure is essentially identical to that of nitroglycerin however the process is usually run at a slightly higher temperature and the mixture is stirred mechanically on an industrial scale instead of with compressed air.

The velocity of detonation (VOD) of methyl nitrate is 8000m/s and is one of the most brisant explosives known. The sensitivity of methyl nitrate to initiation by detonation is among the greatest known, with even a number one blasting cap, the lowest power available, producing a near full detonation of the explosive.

Despite the superior explosive properties of methyl nitrate it has not received application as an explosive due mostly to its high volatility which prevents it from being stored or handled safely. It was used as a rocket fuel by Germany in World War II, in a mixture containing 25% methanol which was named "myrol". This mixture would evaporate at a constant rate and so would not change its composition of methanol and present and explosive danger on longer term storage.