A New Method for the Synthesis of 1,3,5-Triamino-2,4,6-Trinitrobenzene (TATB) Using TNT

1,3,5-Triamino-2,4,6-Trinitrobenzene (TATB) is an explosive that possesses excellent thermal stability and sensitivity characteristics. These properties make TATB an attractive candidate for military and civilian applications. The aim of this study is the synthesis of TATB using available reagents and equipment. Thus, TNT was used as starting material in the synthesis of TATB following six steps including the oxidation of TNT to Trinitrobenzoic acid with Sodium dichromate and concentrated Sulfuric acid (yield 60%), decarboxylation to Trinitrobenzene (yield 68%), reduction to Triaminobenzene with metal powder and Hydrochloric acid or Hydrazine hydrate (yield 55%), protection of the Amine groups to synthesize Triacetamidobenzene and finally the nitration and deprotection reaction by hydrolysis reaction (yield 55%).