The thermal decomposition of mono-, di-, and tripotassium salts of trinitrophloroglucinol

The kinetics of the thermal decomposition of mono-, di-, and tripotassium salts of trinitrophloroglucinol (TNPG) was studied in the solid phase by the manometric method at m/V from 1 × 10^?4 to 15 × 10^?4 g/cm³ over the temperature ranges 125–150°C (K₁TNPG), 200–230°C (K₂ TNPG), and 200–250°C (K₃ TNPG). All the compounds decomposed according to the topochemical mechanism: there was an induction period, after which the rate of gas release was maximum. This rate then gradually decreased. The second decomposition stage was observed for K₁TNPG as the temperature increased to 200–250°C. The special features of changes in the rate of the process during transformation and the influence of the degree of vessel filling with a substance, particle size, and temperature on the kinetics of decomposition were studied. The kinetic results and composition of gaseous products and some condensed decomposition products lead to certain conclusions concerning the mechanism of the chemical transformations.