Picric acid converted it to acetylsalicylic acid, i.e., aspirin, to keep it from the Allies. See Great Phenol Plot. At the time, phenol was obtained from coal as a co-product of coke ovens and the manufacture of gas for gas lighting. Laclede Gas reports being asked to expand production of phenol (and toluene) to support the war effort. Both Monsanto and Dow Chemical undertook manufacture of synthetic phenol in 1915. Dow was the leading producer. Dow describes picric acid as “the main battlefield explosive used by the French. Large amounts [of phenol] also went to Japan, where it was made into picric
Chlorosulfuric acid cyclized with ammonia and neutralized with base to afford saccharin. Chlorosulphonic acid has been used as an anti-contrail agent in Ryan Model 147 reconnaissance drones, and to produce smoke screens. ClSOH reacts violently with water to yield sulfuric acid and hydrogen chloride, commonly seen as vapors fuming from the liquid. Precautions, such as proper ventilation, associated with HCl should be observed. Chlorosulfuric acid Chlorosulfuric acid (IUPAC name: sulfurochloridic acid) is the inorganic compound with the formula HSOCl. It is also known as chlorosulfonic acid, being the sulfonic acid of chlorine. It is a distillable, colorless liquid which is hygroscopic and