question_answer

The reaction of an organic compound with ammonia followed by nitration of the product gives a powerful explosive, called RDX. The organic compound is:

A)  phenol        

B)  toluene

C)  glycerine      

D)  formaldehyde

Correct Answer: D

Solution :

Formaldehyde with ammonia gives a medicinal compound hexamethylene tetramine   (urotropine),   which  on nitration gives one of the most powerful explosive, named cyclonite or RDX- \[6HCHO+4N{{H}_{4}}\xrightarrow{{}}\underset{\begin{smallmatrix}  \text{Urotropine}\,\text{or}\, \\  \text{Hexamethylene}\,\text{tetramine} \end{smallmatrix}}{\mathop{{{(C{{H}_{2}})}_{6}}{{N}_{4}}+6{{H}_{2}}O}}\,\]