General Description
A liquid. Extremely sensitive explosive if not properly desensitized with a phlegmatizer. Slightly soluble in alcohol and soluble in ether. Specific gravity 1.38. Slightly toxic by ingestion. May explode under prolonged exposure to heat or fire or from sudden shock. The primary hazard is the blast effect of an instantaneous explosion and not flying projectiles and fragments . Used as a rocket propellant.
Air & Water Reactions
Slightly soluble in water.
Reactivity Profile
Nitroorganics, such as DEGN, range from slight to strong oxidizing agents. If mixed with reducing agents, including hydrides, sulfides and nitrides, they may begin a vigorous reaction that culminates in a detonation. Nitroalkanes are milder oxidizing agents, but still react violently with reducing agents at higher temperature and pressures. Nitroalkanes react with inorganic bases to form explosive salts. The presence of metal oxides increases the thermal sensitivity of nitroalkanes. Nitroalkanes with more than one nitro group are generally explosive.
Health Hazard
Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
Fire Hazard
MAY EXPLODE AND THROW FRAGMENTS 1600 meters (1 MILE) OR MORE IF FIRE REACHES CARGO.
