Centralite


Centralite

 

the technical name for any of the dialkyldiphenylureas, or derivatives of urea having the structural formula

Centralites are used as stabilizers for ballistic powders in a solvent of low volatility (seeBALLISTITES). Centralites can also be used as plasticizers.

Centralites have a stabilizing effect because they bind nitric acid and nitrogen oxides that are released in the thermal decomposition of ballistic powders. Of all centralites, the two that are most commonly used are centralite 1 [N,N′-diethyl-N,N′-diphenylurea (R = C2H5 and R′ = C6H5), which has a melting point of ~71°C] and centralite 2 [N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-diphenylurea (R = CH3 and R′ = C6H5), which has a melting point of 120°C]. Centralites are produced by the reaction of monoalkylanilines with phosgene.