Section I
No. 21
Picric acid can be used as a booster explosive in detonators (Section VI, No. 13), a high explosive charge, or as an intermediate to preparing lead picrate (Section I, No. 20) or DDNP (Section I, No. 19).
MATERIAL REQUIRED:
- Aspirin tablets (5 grams per tablet)
- Alcohol, 95% pure
- Sulfuric acid, concentrated, (battery acid – boil until white fumes appear)
- Potassium Nitrate (Section I, No. 2)
- Water
- Paper towels
- Canning jar, 1 pint
- Rod (glass or wood)
- Glass containers
- Ceramic or glass dish
- Cup
- Teaspoon
- Tablespoon
- Pan
- Heat Source
- Tape
PROCEDURE:
1. Crush 20 aspirin tablets in a glass container. Add 1 teaspoon of water and work into a paste.
2. Add approximately 1/3 to 1/2 cup of alcohol (100 mililiters) to the aspirin paste; stir while pouring.
3. Filter the alcohol-aspirin solution through a paper towel into another glass container. Discard the solid left on the paper towel.
4. Pour the filtered solution into a ceramic or glass dish.
5. Evaporate the alcohol and water from the solution by placing the dish into a pan of hot water. White powder will remain in the dish after evaporation.
NOTE: Water in pan should be at hot bath temperature, not boiling, approximately 160° to 180°F. It should not bum the hands.
6. Pour 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) of concentrated sulfuric acid into a canning jar. Add the white powder to the sulfuric acid.
7. Heat canning jar of sulfuric acid in a pan of simmering hot water bath for 15 minutes; then remove jar from the bath. Solution will turn to a yellow-orange color.
8. Add 3 level teaspoons (15 grams) of potassium nitrate in three portions to the yellow-orange solution; stir vigorously during additions. Solution will turn red, and then back to a yellow-orange color.
9. Allow the solution to cool to ambient or room temperature while stirring occasionally.
10. Slowly pour the solution, while stirring, into 1-1/4 cup (300 milliliters) of cold water and allow to cool.
11. Filter the solution through a paper towel into a glass container. Light yellow particles will collect on the paper towel.
12. Wash the light yellow particles with 2 tablespoons (25 milliliters) of water. Discard the waste liquid in the container.
13. Place particles in ceramic dish and set in a hot water bath, as in step 5, for 2 hours.