Lead picrate

Chemical structure

Lead picrate, Pb(C₆H₂(NO₂)₃O)₂, is an organic chemical compound from the group of picrates, salt of picric acid and lead on +2 oxidation number. It is an initiating explosive, and thus highly sensitive.

For demonstration purposes, it can be most easily and safely prepared in situ. Picric acid is mixed with red lead (Pb₃O₄), and then heated. It is not recommended that more than 50mg is ever made at any one time. At around 130–160 °C, as the picric acid melts, the mixture detonates violently.

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