SYNTHESIS OF METHAZONIC ACID

• Synthesis of methazonic acid 45 grams of nitromethane is prepared within a 500ml flask.
• Along with this, 40 grams of sodium hydroxide in 18 grams of water is prepared
• The mixture is warmed to 50 degrees, and  the sodium hydroxide is added over a period of 1 hour under constant temperature management (sodium hydroxide has a strong exotherm.) After this,
• the mixture is cooled to 0 degrees in an ice bath, and 35 grams of 37% hydrochloric acid is added,
• keeping the temperature between 0-5 degrees. 
• The resulting yellow solid is filtered and dried in a Buchner under a vacuum for an hour. 
• This is then dissolved in diethyl ether and dried over anhydrous calcium chloride. 
• The drying agent is then filtered and the diethyl ether evaporated to dryness, yielding 46 grams of methazonic acid. 
• The methazonic acid synthesized can then be reacted with any metal hydroxide to form the metal methazonate salt. 
• Small amounts of methazonic acid reacted with potassium hydroxide yield potassium methazonate, a highly sensitive primary explosive. 
• The transition metal salts are presumed to be even more brisant and sensitive. 
• Under no circumstances should methazonic acid be reacted with any ammonium salts: ammonium methazonate readily decomposes, producing extremely toxic hydrogen cyanide gas.