Lead(II) azide

Lead azide (Pb(N3)2) is an inorganic compound. More so than other azides, Pb(N
3)
2 is explosive. It is used in detonators to initiate secondary explosives. In a commercially usable form, it is a white to buff powder.

Lead(II) azide
Names
IUPAC name
Diazidolead
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.033.206
EC Number
  • 236-542-1
UNII
UN number 0129
Properties
Pb(N3)2
Appearance White powder
Density 4.71 g/cm3
Melting point 190 °C (374 °F; 463 K) decomposes,[1] explodes at 350 °C[2]
2.3 g/100 mL (18 °C)
9.0 g/100 mL (70 °C)[2]
Solubility Very soluble in acetic acid
Insoluble in ammonia solution,[2] NH4OH[1]
Thermochemistry
Std enthalpy of
formation (ΔfH⦵298)
 462.3 kJ/mol[2]
Explosive data
Shock sensitivity High
Friction sensitivity High
Detonation velocity 5180 m/s
Hazards
Main hazards Harmful, explosive
GHS pictograms [3]
GHS Signal word Danger
GHS hazard statements
 H200, H302, H332, H360, H373, H400, H410[3]
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
350 °C (662 °F; 623 K)
Related compounds
Other cations
 Potassium azide
Sodium azide
Copper(II) azide
Related compounds
 Hydrazoic acid
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
N verify (what is YN ?)
Infobox references

Preparation and handling

Lead azide is prepared by the reaction of sodium azide and lead nitrate in aqueous solution.[5] Lead acetate can also be used.[6][7]

Thickeners such as dextrin or polyvinyl alcohol are often added to the solution to stabilize the precipitated product. In fact, it is normally shipped in a dextrinated solution that lowers its sensitivity.[8]

Production history

Lead azide in its pure form was first prepared by Theodor Curtius in 1891. Due to sensitivity and stability concerns, the dextrinated form of lead azide (MIL-L-3055) was developed in the 1920s and 1930s with large scale production by DuPont Co beginning in 1932.[9] Detonator development during World War II resulted in the need for a form of lead azide with a more brisant output. RD-1333 lead azide (MIL-DTL-46225), a version of lead azide with sodium carboxymethylcellulose as a precipitating agent, was developed to meet that need. The Vietnam War saw an accelerated need for lead azide and it was during this time that Special Purpose Lead Azide (MIL-L-14758) was developed; the US government also began stockpiling lead azide in large quantities. After the Vietnam War, the use of lead azide dramatically decreased. Due to the size of the US stockpile, the manufacture of lead azide in the US ceased completely by the early 1990s. In the 2000s, concerns about the age and stability of stockpiled lead azide led the US government to investigate methods to dispose of its stockpiled lead azide and obtain new manufacturers.

Explosive characteristics

Lead azide is highly sensitive and usually handled and stored under water in insulated rubber containers. It will explode after a fall of around 150 mm (6 in) or in the presence of a static discharge of 7 millijoules. Its detonation velocity is around 5,180 m/s (17,000 ft/s).

Ammonium acetate and sodium dichromate are used to destroy small quantities of lead azide.[10]

Lead azide has immediate deflagration to detonation transition (DDT), meaning that even small amounts undergo full detonation (after being hit by flame or static electricity).

Lead azide reacts with copper, zinc, cadmium, or alloys containing these metals to form other azides. For example, copper azide is even more explosive and too sensitive to be used commercially.[11]

Lead azide was a component of the six .22 caliber Devastator rounds fired from a Röhm RG-14 revolver by John Hinckley, Jr. in his assassination attempt on U.S. President Ronald Reagan on March 30, 1981. The rounds consisted of lead azide centers with lacquer-sealed aluminum tips designed to explode upon impact. A strong probability exists that the bullet which struck White House press secretary James Brady in the head exploded. The remaining bullets that hit people, including the shot that hit President Reagan, did not explode.[12][13]

See also

References
  1. CID 61600 from PubChem
  2. Pradyot, Patnaik (2003). Handbook of Inorganic Chemicals. The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. ISBN 0-07-049439-8.
  3. "Safety Data Sheet of Electronic Detonators, Division 1.4" (PDF). ocsresponds.com. Owen Oil Tools LP. 2014-03-21. Retrieved 2014-06-09.
  4. Keller, J.J. (1978). Hazardous Materials Guide: Suppl, Issue 4. Abel Guerrero.
  5. Jacques Boileau, Claude Fauquignon, Bernard Hueber and Hans H. Meyer (2009). "Explosives". Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH. doi:10.1002/14356007.a10_143.pub2.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. "λ » LambdaSyn – Synthese von Bleiazid". www.lambdasyn.org.
  7. Verneker, V. R. Pai; Forsyth, Arthur C. (1968). "Mechanism for controlling the reactivity of lead azide". The Journal of Physical Chemistry. 72: 111–115. doi:10.1021/j100847a021.
  8. Fedoroff, Basil T.; Henry A. Aaronson; Earl F. Reese; Oliver E. Sheffield; George D. Clift (1960). Encyclopedia of Explosives and Related Items (Vol. 1). US Army Research and Development Command TACOM, ARDEC.
  9. Fair, Harry David; Walker, Raymond F. (1977). Energetic Materials, Technology of the Inorganic Azides. 2. Plenum Press.
  10. "Primary (Initiating) Explosives". www.tpub.com. Retrieved 2017-02-13.
  11. Lazari, Gerasimi; Stamatatos, Theocharis C.; Raptopoulou, Catherine P.; Psycharis, Vassilis; Pissas, Michael; Perlepes, Spyros P.; Boudalis, Athanassios K. (2009-04-13). "A metamagnetic 2D copper(II)-azide complex with 1D ferromagnetism and a hysteretic spin-flop transition". Dalton Transactions (17): 3215–3221. doi:10.1039/B823423J. ISSN 1477-9234. PMID 19421623.
  12. The Exploding Bullets, by Pete Barley and Charles Babcock, Washington Post, 4 Apr, 1981. Retrieved 28 February 2007.
  13. Taubman, Philip; Times, Special To the New York (1981-04-03). "Explosive Bullet Struck Reagan, F.b.i. Discovers". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-05-18.
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