Unstable Compounds "Come Apart"

[imp]

Can anyone satisfy my curiosity about the way in which certain unstable compounds dissociate?

 

For example, many nitrated compounds "explode" under appropriate circumstances.

 

Are the results of such dissociation for a given compound always the same, or can differing results occur given varying physical conditions such as temperature, pressure, exposure to light energy, etc.?

[insane_alien]

it depends more on the decomposition products of the compound. if they are mostly gaseous then we will see an explosion(if the decomposition is fast). if they are liquids or solids or soluble in the local medium(say water) then we won't see an explosion.

 

it also depends on the rate of decomosition, a fast decomp will more likely result in an explosion while a slow one might just seem to cause the compound to appear to evapourate.

 

temperature, pressure, exposure to UV can all have an effect on the rate of the reaction but this will depend on the form of decomposition and the chemicals themselves.

[imp]

Thank you!

 

More specifically, my question hinges about the fact that certain everyday reactions are so extremely involved and complex, fermentation, for example, or take one of several possible routes depending on uncontrolled variables, that perhaps the end products are not always predictable?

 

Nitrogen Triodide might dissociate into its component elements, always. But will that process be true for, say, fulminating mercury, or glyceryl trinitrate? Will they form new compounds during dissociation? imp

[insane_alien]

well, mostly yes, but there will always be some other reaction. with NI3 some nitrates will be formed(not much but a little) and the same with others. Again this depends on the conditions underwhich decomposition occurs.