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What is the optimal temperature and concentration of nitric acid required for the synthesis of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene from toluene?

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The synthesis of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene  TNT  from toluene involves a nitration process using a mixture of nitric acid  HNO3  and sulfuric acid  H2SO4 . The optimal conditions for this reaction are:1. Temperature: The reaction is typically carried out at a temperature range of 0-30C. Lower temperatures  around 0C  are preferred for the initial nitration steps to minimize side reactions and improve the yield of the desired product.2. Concentration of nitric acid: A concentrated nitric acid solution is used for the nitration process. The concentration of nitric acid can vary, but a common ratio of nitric acid to sulfuric acid is 1:1 by volume.It is important to note that the synthesis of TNT involves multiple nitration steps, and the conditions may need to be adjusted slightly for each step to achieve the best results. Additionally, the synthesis of TNT should only be performed by trained professionals in a controlled laboratory setting, as the process can be hazardous and the product is an explosive material.
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