2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene → 2-Amino-4,6-Dinitrotoluene

Participants

Reaction Steps

1.0 gram of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene was dissolved in 22 ml of glacial acetic acid. With vigorous stirring, 0.82 g of iron powder (400 mesh) was added in small portions over two hours. The red reaction suspension was diluted to 50 ml with water giving a bright yellow precipitate. Filtration gave 0.38 grams of 2-amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene of sufficient spectral and chromatographic purity for use in the subsequent synthesis without recrystallization.

Provenance & Evidence