2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene

2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT) is a yellow, odourless, unstable solid. TNT does not occur naturally in the environment. TNT is an explosive used in military shells, bombs, and grenades; in industrial uses; and in underwater blasting. TNT is a high explosive that is unaffected by ordinary shocks and therefore must be set off by a detonator. TNT is often mixed with other explosives such as ammonium nitrate to form amatol. Because it is insensitive to shock and must be exploded with a detonator, it is the most favoured explosive used in munitions and construction. TNT reacts violently, is potentially explosively, reacts with heavy metals, and is a chemical with risk of explosion if heated or struck.