nitrolylation

Nitrolylation is a chemical reaction in which a nitroxy group, typically a nitrate ester (-ONO2), is incorporated into a molecule. This process is often used to synthesize energetic materials, explosives, and propellants. The nitroxy group is highly energetic due to the presence of the nitrogen-oxygen bonds, and its introduction can significantly increase the explosive power or combustion characteristics of a substance.

The reaction typically involves treating a substrate containing a hydroxyl group (-OH) with a nitrating agent, such as nitric acid in the presence of a dehydrating agent like sulfuric acid. The hydroxyl group is replaced by the nitroxy group, forming a nitrate ester. Common examples include the nitration of glycerol to form nitroglycerin or the nitration of cellulose to form nitrocellulose. These reactions must be carefully controlled due to their exothermic nature and the potential for rapid decomposition. Safety precautions are paramount when performing nitrolylation reactions. The stability and sensitivity of the resulting nitroxy compounds vary greatly depending on the structure of the parent molecule and the degree of nitrolylation.