Nitroglycerin

       O 
      /
O -- N
      \
   H   O
    \ /
     C
    / \   H 
   H   \ /
        C        O
   H   / \      //
    \ /   O -- N
     C          \
    / \          O
   H   O
      /
O -- N
      \\
       O

Besides being an explosive, nitroglycerin is also used medically for its ability to release nitrous oxide derivatives to the circulation as either a sublingual tablet or a transdermal patch for the treatment of angina pain and biliary colic (as ophie mentioned).

Formula: C₃H₅N₃O₉
Melting Point: 13 Degrees (Celsius)
Boiling Point: 218 Degrees (Celsius)
Molecular Weight: 227.11g

Also known as: Glyceryl Trinitrate, Glycerin Nitrate

Nictoglycerin is an oily, colorless liquid with a sweet, burning taste. Don't try this at home. Tasting it can produce a really REALLY bad headache, or even acute poisoing. Nitroglycerin is derived from glycerol, a common biological molecule.

Nitroglycerin tablets are a vasodilator-type treatment, usually prescribed to ease pain in the chest area. Patients are usually instructed to take a single tablet and wait four to five minutes. If the chest pain still lingers, patients are instructed to take another tablet. If the pain is still present after another four to five minutes, the patient is instructed to take a third tablet. If, after the third tablet, the chest pain doesn't subside, they should call emergency services. Right away.

Nitroglycerin is also used to construct explosives. Being tremendously unstable (even the slightest friction, or impact can detonate it), it has been found to make a suitable ingredient in many types of explosives. Nitroglycerin is remarkably unstable due to its high rate of decomposition. When nitroglycerin detonates, a high-speed shock is sent through the substance. All of the molecules are destroyed near simultaneously. Nitro has an adavntage over other explosives, as no solid forms of carbon are produced when it is detonated. (Solid carbon normally manifests itself as smoke.) Therefore, it is usually used to create "smokeless" powders.

The obvious problem of Nitro's instability was solved in 1864 by Alfred Nobel. (Yes, THAT Nobel.) Mixing nitroglycerin with a type of clay called kieselguhr, creates a pasty compound, which could then be shaped into rods. In 1867 this material was patented under the name "dynamite".

This node is not meant to replace the advice of your doctor and/or pyrotechnics specialist. Seek their advice before trying anything with nitroglycerin.

Nitroglycerin for Biliary Colic

Ni`tro*glyc"er*in (?), n. [Nitro- + glycerinn.] Chem.

A liquid appearing like a heavy oil, colorless or yellowish, and consisting of a mixture of several glycerin salts of nitric acid, and hence more properly called glycerin nitrate. It is made by the action of nitric acid on glycerin in the presence of sulphuric acid. It is extremely unstable and terribly explosive. A very dilute solution is used in medicine as a neurotic under the name of glonion.

⇒ A great number of explosive compounds have been produced by mixing nitroglycerin with different substances; as, dynamite, or giant powder, nitroglycerin mixed with siliceous earth; lithofracteur, nitroglycerin with gunpowder, or with sawdust and nitrate of sodium or barium; Colonia powder, gunpowder with nitroglycerin; dualin, nitroglycerin with sawdust, or with sawdust and nitrate of potassium and some other substances; lignose, wood fiber and nitroglycerin.

© Webster 1913.