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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!don
From: don@allegra.UUCP (Don Mitchell)
Newsgroups: net.rec
Subject: NI3NH3
Message-ID: <3157@allegra.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 12-Mar-85 05:27:46 EST
Article-I.D.: allegra.3157
Posted: Tue Mar 12 05:27:46 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 13-Mar-85 00:07:30 EST
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill
Lines: 19

I started to type in a detailed account of how to make pure NI3.  Its
tricky, but I think getting crystals coated with the stuff is good
enough for college pranks.

Instead, let me point out a few things about NI3.NH3.  This chemical
comes close to being the most powerful explosive that is theoretically
possible.  Atomic nitrogen would probably be tops, but it is too
unstable to exist at normal temperatures (the N2 triple bond is very
energetic).  NI3.NH3 comes close to this because the NI bond is very
weak.

Don't try to make any related substances.  NCl3, a yellow oily liquid,
is explosive immediately on formation (not safe while wet).  Sounds or
bright light will set it off.

Finally, I would like to point out that the chemist who discovered
NI3.NH3 lost several fingers trying to measure its properties.  A
teaspoon of this stuff would reduce your hand to a fine red mist.  I
kid you not!