Nitrogen triiodide (black unstable crystals) explodes at the slightest touch when dry. When handled, it is kept wet with ether. It is too sensitive to be used as an explosive, because it cannot be stored, handled, or transported.
Black, unstable crystals.
Explodes at slightest touch when dry; when
handled it should be kept wet with ether. Too sensitive to be used as explosive, because it cannot be
stored, handled, or transported safely.
A severe explosion
hazard when shocked, exposed to heat or
flame, or by spontaneous chemical reaction.
It has no known uses as an explosive
because it is far too sensitive in the dry state
to store or handle safely. If this material
must be worked with, it should be kept wet.
A convenient way of keeping it wet is with
ether; when it is needed in the dry state, it
simply has to be taken out into the open and
the ether will evaporate, leaving it perfectly
dry. When dry, it wdl explode when given
the slightest touch, vibration, or rise in
temperature. Even a puff of air lrected into
it can cause it to detonate. It is a hgh
explosive and is very violent. Incompatible
with O3 . H2S, Cl2, Br2, acids. See also
IODIDES.
