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How was crystalized nitroglycerin discovered?

How was crystalized nitroglycerin discovered?

History: The Italian chemist Ascanio Sobrero first made nitroglycerin in 1847, by adding glycerol to a mixture of concentrated nitric and sulfuric acids. Terrified of his discovery he considered nitroglycerin to be too dangerous for practical use as the impure compound was liable to explode without warning.

How was nitroglycerin made more stable?

Dynamite was invented by Alfred Nobel in 1866. Nitroglycerin, a very unstable explosive, was already known. Nobel mixed the nitroglycerin with silica to stabilize it and form a solid material.

What is the mechanism of action of nitroglycerin?

Mechanism of Action: Nitroglycerin forms free radical nitric oxide (NO) which activates guanylate cyclase, resulting in an increase of guanosine 3’5′ monophosphate (cyclic GMP) in smooth muscle and other tissues.

How does nitroglycerin become nitric oxide?

Nitroglycerin and its relatives are metabolized to yield nitric oxide, an endogenous endothelium-derived molecule that is normally synthesized in the vascular wall by endothelial nitric oxide synthase and is a critical determinant of vascular tone.

Is nitroglycerin a no donor?

Nitric Oxide-Donating Devices for Topical Applications For example, nitroglycerin is an NO donor that has been widely established in vascular medicine (Willmota and Batha, 2003).

How is glycerol mixed with nitric acid to make nitroglycerin?

The industrial manufacturing process often reacts glycerol with a nearly 1:1 mixture of concentrated sulfuric acid and concentrated nitric acid. This can be produced by mixing white fuming nitric acid —a quite expensive pure nitric acid in which the oxides of nitrogen have been removed]

Where does the explosive power of nitroglycerin come from?

Nitroglycerin and any diluents can certainly deflagrate (burn). The explosive power of nitroglycerin derives from detonation: energy from the initial decomposition causes a strong pressure wave that detonates the surrounding fuel.

How did Alfred Nobel invent nitroglycerin as an explosive?

Nitroglycerin is an oily liquid that may explode when subjected to heat, shock, or flame. Alfred Nobel developed the use of nitroglycerin as a blasting explosive by mixing nitroglycerin with inert absorbents, particularly ” Kieselguhr “, or diatomaceous earth. He named this explosive dynamite and patented it in 1867.

What’s the difference between organic nitrate and nitroglycerin?

Chemically, the substance is an organic nitrate compound rather than a nitro compound, but the traditional name is retained.