3-nitrotoluene

Explosiveness

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Endpoint:

explosive properties of explosives

Type of information:

experimental study

Remarks:

expert statement based on an experimental study conducted with the closely related 4-Nitrotoluene (CAS 99-99-0)

Adequacy of study:

key study

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: Guideline study

Guideline:

other: differential thermal analysis (DTA) according to VDI 2263, leaf 1

Deviations:

no

GLP compliance:

no

Parameter:

other: More sensitive to shock than m-dinitrobenzene

Remarks on result:

not measured/tested

Parameter:

other: More sensitive to friction than m-dinitrobenzene

Remarks on result:

not measured/tested

Parameter:

other: Explosive under influence of flame

Remarks on result:

negative (not further specified)

Parameter:

other: Explosive (not specified)

Remarks on result:

negative (not further specified)

m-Nitrotoluene contains the NO2 group which is associated with explosive properties (see European CLP
Directive, EC No. 1272/2008 and UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, appendix 6, section 3).

The decomposition behaviour was determined by differential thermal analysis (DTA) according to VDI 2263, leaf 1. The sample was heated in a closed glass crucible at a rate of 3 K/min. The temperature difference between sample and reference (Al₂O₃) was recorded.

In report 2009/01372e, the explosive properties of the closely related p-nitrotoluene have been determined by comprehensive testing. This compound was found to be not explosive. In analogy, it is concluded that m-nitrotoluene has no explosive properties either.

The decomposition behaviour determined by differential thermal analysis (DTA) was very similar for both compounds:

Table 1. DTA measurement of 3-nitrotoluene (CAS 99-08-01), report 2009/01371e

Test method	Result
	Onset of exotherm	Heat release
DTA (3 K/min, glass crucible)	275 °C	1950 J/g

Table 2. DTA measurement of 4-nitrotoluene (CAS 99-99-0), 2009/01372e and 2009/01684e 

Test method	Result
	Onset of exotherm	Onset of exotherm
DTA (3 K/min, glass crucible)	268 °C	1900 J/g

 

Interpretation of results:

GHS criteria not met

Remarks:

In report 2009/01372, the explosive properties of the closely related p-Nitrotoluene have been determined by comprehensive testing. This compound was found to be not explosive. In analogy, it is concluded that m- Nitrotoluene is also insensitive for acceptance into the Class of Explosives and has no explosive properties either. Therefore m- Nitrotoluene should not be classified as explosive.

Conclusions:

In report 2009/01372, the explosive properties of the closely related p-Nitrotoluene have been determined by comprehensive testing. This compound was found to be not explosive. In analogy, it is concluded that m- Nitrotoluene is also insensitive for acceptance into the Class of Explosives and has no explosive properties either. Therefore m- Nitrotoluene should not be classified as explosive.

Executive summary:

Heitkamp D and Keldenich H-P (Currenta), 2009 [study report 2009/01372e and 2009/01684e for 4-nitrotoluene]

The acceptance procedure for explosives as in section 10.3 of the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, Manual of Tests and Criteria as been performed for 4-nitrotoluene. Since the result of the Trauzl test (UN F.3) was "Low" (explosive power) in one run, test UN 1 (a) and 2 (a) had to be performed. For practical purposes, the BAM 50/60 steel tube test (UN A.1) was performed instead of the UN 1 (a) test since this method gives comparable results. The results of 2 runs were "Partial", which corresponds to "-" in the sense of UN 1 (a) test. 4-nitrotoluene is not able to propagate a detonation. From these findings it can be concluded the outcome of UN 2 (a) test to be "-" as well. 4-nitrotolene is not sensitve to detonative shock.

In the Koenen test (UN 2 (b)) 4-nitrotoluene showed no violent effect on heating under confinement (limiting diameter < 2 mm).

In the time / pressure test (UN 1 (c)(i) and UN 2 (c)(i) 4-nitrotoluene showed no likelihood of deflagration (maximum pressure reached 1156 kPa). Since the three tests of test series 2 were negative, the summary is: 4-nitrotoluene is too insensitive for acceptance into the Class of Explosives, and therefore should not be classified.

 

Conclusion for 3-Nitrotoluene based on the read across with 4-Nitrotoluene:

In report 2009/01372, the explosive properties of the closely related p-Nitrotoluene have been determined by comprehensive testing. This compound was found to be not explosive. In analogy, it is concluded that m- Nitrotoluene is also insensitive for acceptance into the Class of Explosives and has no explosive properties either. Therefore m- Nitrotoluene should not be classified as explosive.

Description of key information

Heitkamp D and Keldenich H-P (Currenta), 2009 [study report 2009/01372e and 2009/01684e for 4-nitrotoluene]

The acceptance procedure for explosives as in section 10.3 of the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, Manual of Tests and Criteria as been performed for 4-nitrotoluene. Since the result of the Trauzl test (UN F.3) was "Low" (explosive power) in one run, test UN 1 (a) and 2 (a) had to be performed. For practical purposes, the BAM 50/60 steel tube test (UN A.1) was performed instead of the UN 1 (a) test since this method gives comparable results. The results of 2 runs were "Partial", which corresponds to "-" in the sense of UN 1 (a) test. 4-nitrotoluene is not able to propagate a detonation. From these findings it can be concluded the outcome of UN 2 (a) test to be "-" as well. 4-nitrotolene is not sensitve to detonative shock.

In the Koenen test (UN 2 (b)) 4-nitrotoluene showed no violent effect on heating under confinement (limiting diameter < 2 mm).

In the time / pressure test (UN 1 (c)(i) and UN 2 (c)(i) 4-nitrotoluene showed no likelihood of deflagration (maximum pressure reached 1156 kPa). Since the three tests of test series 2 were negative, the summary is: 4-nitrotoluene is too insensitive for acceptance into the Class of Explosives, and therefore should not be classified.

 

Conclusion for 3-Nitrotoluene based on the read across with 4-Nitrotoluene:

In report 2009/01372, the explosive properties of the closely related p-Nitrotoluene have been determined by comprehensive testing. This compound was found to be not explosive. In analogy, it is concluded that m- Nitrotoluene is also insensitive for acceptance into the Class of Explosives and has no explosive properties either. Therefore m- Nitrotoluene should not be classified as explosive.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Explosiveness:

non explosive