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Which chemical used to make explosives is a fertilizer-based explosive, but requires nitric acid as a component to be an explosive compound, and has a wide range of uses, including as a noncorrosive de-icing material for sidewalks?

a. Aluminum nitrate
b. Triacetone triperoxide (TATP)
c. Hexamethylene triperoxide diamine (HMTD)
d. Urea nitrate

1 Answer

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Answer:

d. Urea nitrate

Step-by-step explanation:

Urea nitrate is a fertilizer-based explosive that is produced in one step by reaction of urea with nitric acid. The is an exothermic reaction, therefore, necessary steps and precautions must be taken to ensure safety during the process. The equation of the reaction is given below:

(NH₂)₂CO (aq) + HNO₃ (aq) → (NH₂)₂COHNO₃ (s)

It is as easily-made explosive and can also be used as a catalyst in Diels-Alder reactions of aromatic amines.

In the presence of water, urea nitrate readily decomposes to its original components, urea and nitric acid.

On its own, urea is commonly used as a deicer for sidewalks as it is a noncorrosive de-icing material. However, it is a more costly method of deicing, compared to other methods and it is best used where water runs off into vegetation than into a water-body or a storm drain because of its high-oxygen demand which could result in its reducing the oxygen level of the water body. It It is readily found in nature (in our urine) and is also synthesized artificially. It has a very high nitrogen content, and is most often used as a nitrogen‐based fertilizer.

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