n.
in full trinitrotoluene
Pale yellow, solid organic compound made by adding nitrate ( 2015; NO 2 ) groups to toluene .
Because TNT melts below the boiling point of water but explodes only above 464 °F (240 °C), it can safely be melted and poured into casings. It is relatively insensitive to shock and, for practical purposes, cannot be exploded without a detonator, making it the preferred chemical explosive, used in munitions and for demolition.