Substance profile
Glycerol trinitrate
Glycerol trinitrate is a viscous liquid.
01 · Identification
What Glycerol trinitrate is
Glycerol trinitrate is a viscous liquid. It boils at 218 °C, melts at 2.8 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as corrosives.
Other names for Glycerol trinitrate
- nitroglycerine
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H200 | Unstable explosives. |
| H310 | Fatal in contact with skin. |
| H330 | Fatal if inhaled. |
| H300 | Fatal if swallowed. |
| H373 | May cause damage to organs <or state all organs affected, if known> through prolonged or repeated exposure <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H411 | Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. |
Precautionary statements: P210, P260, P270, P271, P273, P280, P301, P302, P304, P310, P314, P330, P352, P391, P501
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Glycerol trinitrate properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 218 °C (424.4 °F) | HSDB | |
| 55 °C (131 °F) | range, midpoint shown | NIOSH | |
| Melting point | 2.8 °C (37 °F) | HSDB | |
| 13.33 °C (56 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Density | 1.6 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 1.5918 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Solubility | Sparingly sol in petroleum ether, liq petrolatum, glycerol. | HSDB | |
| One gram dissolves in 4 grams ethanol, 18 g methanol, 120 g carbon disulfide. | HSDB | ||
| Miscible with glacial acetic acid, nitrobenzene, pyridine, ethylene bromide, dichloroethylene, ethyl acetate. | HSDB | ||
| Vapor pressure | 0.0003 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 0.0002 mmHg | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| Flash point | 270 °C (518 °F) | CAMEO | |
| Explodes | NIOSH | ||
| Explodes (NIOSH, 2024) | CAMEO | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 270 °C (518 °F) | HSDB | |
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | Severe explosion risk, highly sensitive to heat and shock. | HSDB | |
| ...Explosion point 256 °C | HSDB | ||
| Vapor density | 7.8 (air = 1) | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Fire and explosion
Fire and explosion behaviour of Glycerol trinitrate
These are descriptions rather than measured values, so they are kept out of the table above and quoted here with the source that reported them.
Fire and explosion
Undiluted nitroglycerin should be handled cautiously since it is a powerful explosive that can be exploded by percussion or excessive heat. Nitroglycerin is diluted with lactose, dextrose, alcohol, proplyene glycol, or another inert excipient to permit safe handling.
Source: HSDB
05 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Glycerol trinitrate
Storage conditions
Nitroglycerin injections are practically colorless and stable in their intact containers. The solutions are not explosive. Storage should be at room temperature; the containers should be protected from freezing. Exposure to light, even high intensity light, does not adversely affect nitroglycerin stability. /nitroglycerin injections/
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Heat, ozone, shock acids.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
GLYCERYL TRINITRATE SOLUTION is incompatible with the following: Heat, ozone, shock, acids. Note: An OSHA Class A Explosive (1910.109). (NIOSH, 2024). It may react vigorously with reducing agents, including hydrides, sulfides and nitrides. Incompatible with ozone, acids.
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Glycerol trinitrate in the storage compatibility matrix →