T.N.T., or Tri−Nitro−Toluene, is perhaps the second oldest known high explosive. Dynamite, of course, was
the first. It is certainly the best known high explosive, since it has been popularized by early morning
cartoons. It is the standard for comparing other explosives to, since it is the most well known. In industry, a
T.N.T. is made by a three step nitration process that is designed to conserve the nitric and sulfuric acids which
are used to make the product. A terrorist, however, would probably opt for the less economical one step
method. The one step process is performed by treating toluene with very strong (fuming) sulfuric acid. Then,
the sulfated toluene is treated with very strong (fuming) nitric acid in an ice bath. Cold water is added the
solution, and it is filtered.