Structure

Explanation of Structure

   Trinitrotoluene is an explanation of the structure.  “Tri-“ means 3, so one TNT molecule will have 3 nitro groups.  A nitro group consists of 2 oxygen atoms and 1 nitrogen atom.  Toluene is a ring of carbon and hydrogen atoms.  The nitro groups are attached to the toluene ring.  Therefore, there are 3 groups of 2O + N or 6O and 3N atoms.  The toluene consists of 7 carbon atoms and 5 hydrogen atoms.  Therefore, the structure of TNT is C₇H₅N₃O₆.

Percentage Composition by Mass

   The percent composition by mass is determined by calculating the mass of the correct amount of atoms, calculating the mass of the entire compound then dividing the atoms' mass by the mass of the entire compound and multiplying the quotient by 100.  As an example, hydrogen will be shown.  The mass of hydrogen is 1.0g/m, times 5 atoms in 1 compound of TNT equals 5.0 g.  The total mass of TNT is 227.13.  5.0g H / 227.13g C₇H₅N₃O₆ = 0.022 x 100 = 2.2%.  So the percent composition for hydrogen in TNT is 2.2%.

   Carbon (C₇) - 84.077g/mol = 37.0%

   Hydrogen (H₅) - 5.0395g/mol = 2.2%

   Nitrogen (N₃) - 42.0201g/mol = 18.5%

   Oxygen (O₆) - 95.9964g/mol = 42.3%

C₇H₅N₃O₆ - Trinitrotoluene

http://www.labmed.umn.edu/umbbd/core/graphics/c0439.gif  

Percentage Composition by Number

   Calculating the total number of atoms in 1 molecule of TNT, then dividing the number of atoms of the selected atom by the total number and multiplying by 100 determines the percent composition by number.  An example, carbon, will be shown.  The total number of atoms in 1 TNT molecule is 21.  The total number of carbon atoms in 1 molecule of TNT is 7.  So, 7 \ 21 = 0.33 x 100 = 33.3%.  So the percentage composition by number for carbon in TNT is 33.3%.

    Carbon (C₇) - 33.3%

   Hydrogen (H₅) - 23.8%

   Nitrogen (N₃) - 14.3%

   Oxygen (O₆) - 28.6%

Type of Bonding Present in TNT

   The form of bonding present in trinitrotoluene is covalent bonding.  This is true because the type of bonding involved in NM (non-metal)-NM bonding is covalent and all 4 of the atoms present in TNT are non-metals.

Reaction Tendencies

    Trinitrotoluene is constructed of nitro groups and produces in large amounts, nitrogen and other gases.  TNT is noted for releasing extremely large amounts of products, in this case carbon dioxide, hydrogen, nitrogen and carbon in addition to the energy produced.  An example of the power of TNT...

    2C₇H₅N₃O₆(s) à 12CO(g) + 5H₂(g) + 3N₂(g) + 2C₂(s) + energy

The TNT produced an extremely massive amount of gas and energy, at 20 moles of total gas products and energy produced from 2 moles of trinitrotoluene.  As trinitrotoluene is an explosive, TNT's reaction tendencies tend to be an explosion.