Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 17, 2026

Nitrourea

Nitrourea is a strong high explosive compound synthesized by the nitration of urea or by way of a dehydration reaction of urea nitrate with sulfuric acid at 0 °C (32 °F).

Last revised
Jul 17, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
315 w
Citations
6
Source
Wikipedia ↗
Nitrourea
Nitrourea
Nitrourea source ↗
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
Nitrourea
Other names
N-Nitrocarbamide
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.008.314
UNII
  • InChI=1S/CH3N3O3/c2-1(5)3-4(6)7/h(H3,2,3,5) checkY
    Key: CMUOJBJRZUHRMU-DTXNPOPMCO checkY
  • C(=O)(N)N[N+](=O)[O-]
  • NC(=O)N[N+]([O-])=O
Properties1
CH3N3O3
Molar mass 105.053 g·mol−1
Appearance White crystalline solid
Density 1.73 g/cm3
Melting point 158.4–158.8 °C (317.1–317.8 °F; 431.5–431.9 K)2 (decomposes)
2±0.2 g/100 mL
Solubility Slightly soluble in benzene and chloroform
Solubility in acetone 4.1±0.5 g/100mL
Solubility in ethanol 1.72±0.06 g/100mL
Solubility in methanol 4.3±0.8 g/100mL
Thermochemistry3
−639.7 kcal/kg
133.56 cal/mol
Explosive data3
Shock sensitivity Low (incomplete explosion at 460 mm (18 in) / 2 kg (4.4 lb) weight)
Detonation velocity 6860
RE factor 0.94 (Trauzl test, picric acid)
Related compounds
Related compounds
 Urea nitrate
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).

Nitrourea is a strong high explosive compound synthesized by the nitration of urea or by way of a dehydration reaction of urea nitrate with sulfuric acid at 0 °C (32 °F).42

References

References

  1. Oxley, Jimmie C.; Smith, James L.; Vadlamannati, Sravanthi; Brown, Austin C.; Zhang, Guang; Swanson, Devon S.; Canino, Jonathan (2013). "Synthesis and Characterization of Urea Nitrate and Nitrourea" (PDF). Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics. 38 (3): 335–44. doi:10.1002/prep.201200178.
  2. Ingersoll, A. W.; Armendt, B.F. (1925). "Nitrourea". Organic Syntheses. 5: 85; Collected Volumes, vol. 1, 1941, p. 417.
  3. Kaye, Seymour M.; Henry L., Herman (January 1983). "U - Urea Derivatives Formed by Partial Substitution - Nitrourea". Encyclopedia of Explosives and Related Items (PDF) (Technical report). Vol. 10, U.D.C. through Z-Salz. Picatinny Arsenal, Dover, NJ: U.S. Army Research and Development Command TACOM - Ardec Warheads, Energetics and Combat Support Center. pp. U108. LCCN 61-61759. ADA134347, PATR 2700.
  4. "Nitrourea". CAMEO Chemicals. NOAA. 2.4.