The synthesis of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene TNT involves two main steps: nitration of toluene to form dinitrotoluene DNT and further nitration of DNT to form TNT. In both steps, a mixture of nitric acid and sulfuric acid is used as the nitrating agent.1. Nitration of toluene to form dinitrotoluene DNT :C6H5CH3 + 2HNO3 -> C6H3 CH3 NO2 2 + 2H2O2. Nitration of dinitrotoluene to form 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene TNT :C6H3 CH3 NO2 2 + HNO3 -> C6H2 CH3 NO2 3 + H2OFrom the balanced equations, we can see that the overall stoichiometry for the synthesis of TNT is:C6H5CH3 + 3HNO3 -> C6H2 CH3 NO2 3 + 3H2OThus, the optimal molar ratio of toluene to nitric acid for the maximum yield of TNT is 1:3.