in full trinitrotoluene
Pale yellow, solid organic compound made by adding nitrate (―NO 2 ) groups to toluene .
Because TNT melts below the boiling point of water but explodes only above 464 kF (240 kC), 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.