PETN

(redirected from Pentrite)
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PETN

(pē′ē′tē′ĕn′)

A highly explosive chemical, C₅H₈N₄O₁₂, used in ammunition, detonators, and plastic explosives.

[p(enta)e(rythritol) t(etra)n(itrate).]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

References in periodicals archive ?

On January 7 a grand jury in Detroit was told that Abdulmutallab intended to destroy the plane by injecting chemicals into a package of pentrite explosive concealed in his underwear "at a time of his choosing".

Christmas terror alert brings security changes

Ms Ter Horst said Abdulmutallab allegedly assembled the explosive device, including 80g of Pentrite, or PETN, in the aircraft toilet and had planned to detonate it with a syringe of chemicals.

Security services 'were warned about terror plot' Nigerian had been added to terrorist database in November

The substance, which has been identified as pentrite, was hidden between two seats and did not contain a detonator.