Potassium picrate

Potassium picrate

Names
Other names Potassium 2,4,6-trinitrophenolate; Picric acid, potassium salt
Identifiers
CAS Number	573-83-1 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChemSpider	61732 N
ECHA InfoCard	100.008.511
PubChem CID	68454
InChI InChI=1S/C6H3N3O7.K/c10-6-4(8(13)14)1-3(7(11)12)2-5(6)9(15)16;/h1-2,10H;/q;+1/p-1 N Key: RBGOCSKFMWMTRZ-UHFFFAOYSA-M N InChI=1/C6H3N3O7.K/c10-6-4(8(13)14)1-3(7(11)12)2-5(6)9(15)16;/h1-2,10H;/q;+1/p-1 Key: RBGOCSKFMWMTRZ-REWHXWOFAJ
SMILES c1c(cc(c(c1[N+](=O)[O-])[O-])[N+](=O)[O-])[N+](=O)[O-].[K+]
Properties
Chemical formula	C6H2KN3O7; C6H2(NO2)3OK
Molar mass	267.194 g/mol
Density	1.852 g/cm3
Melting point	250 °C (482 °F; 523 K)
Boiling point	Detonates at 331 °C before boiling
Hazards
Main hazards	Sensitive Explosive, Toxic
Safety data sheet	[]
R-phrases (outdated)	R1 R3 R25
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
N  (what is YN ?)
Infobox references

Potassium picrate, or potassium 2,4,6-trinitrophenolate, is an organic chemical, a picrate of potassium. It is a reddish yellow or green crystalline material. It is a primary explosive. Anhydrous potassium picrate forms orthorhombic crystals.

Potassium picrate was first prepared as impure in mid-17th century by Johann Rudolf Glauber by dissolving wood in nitric acid and neutralizing with potassium carbonate. It is commonly made by neutralizing picric acid by potassium carbonate. It was used since 1869. Its chief applications are in pyrotechnics, in some whistle mixes, as a component of explosives (with potassium nitrate and charcoal), propellants (with potassium chlorate), and explosive primers (with lead picrate and potassium chlorate).

Potassium picrate is not a very powerful explosive. It is somewhat shock-sensitive. In contact with flame it deflagrates with a loud sound. If ignited in confined space, it will detonate. It is more sensitive than picric acid.

In contact with metals (e.g. lead, calcium, iron), potassium picrate, like ammonium picrate and picric acid, forms picrates of said metals. These are often more dangerous and more sensitive explosives. Contact with such materials therefore should be prevented.