Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84 exptools; site ixn5c.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!ihnp4!ixn5c!nichols From: nichols@ixn5c.UUCP (nichols r k) Newsgroups: net.rec Subject: Blowing things up Message-ID: <781@ixn5c.UUCP> Date: Tue, 12-Mar-85 01:11:36 EST Article-I.D.: ixn5c.781 Posted: Tue Mar 12 01:11:36 1985 Date-Received: Tue, 12-Mar-85 23:09:52 EST References: <579@unmvax.UUCP> <101600001@hplabs.UUCP> <732@unmvax.UUCP> Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories Lines: 31 > > Does anyone know an "easy" way to make Nitrogen Tri-iodide? > > Beware! Many people have seriously injured themselves playing with > this substance. I suggest starting out small ( < 1 oz. iodine ). > Here is the nice simple method: > > ... "Beware" is right, and make that MUCH less than 1 oz. of iodine (about the amount you can hold on a paper match is a good starter. This stuff is also HIGHLY unpredictable. I made some and partially dried it on a 3 X 5 inch index card once. I scattered most of it around on the floor, but there was still quite a stain on the card. I let the card dry THOROUGHLY, and then threw things at it, whacked it with a ruler, and even put it on the floor and stomped on it. NOTHING!!! (Meanwhile, the crystals on the floor were happily crackling and banging whenever anyone walked by, or sometimes just by themselves.) I had decided the material left on the card was quite inert and was carrying it to the wastebasket when it lightly brushed across the back of a friend's shirt. There was a **LOUD** BANG, leaving a big iodine stain on the shirt. My friend said it felt as though someone had whacked him with a belt. Thank God it was his back and not his face! I have NEVER fooled with this stuff since. Nitrogen tri-iodide is HIGHLY explosive. A whole ounce of iodine, completely converted (I was using laboratory-grade ammonia solution) would probably blow your hand off! Bob Nichols @ AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville IL ihnp4!ixn5c!nichols