TNT. Computer-generated molecular model of TNT (C7H5N3O6). TNT (2,4,6-trinitrotoluene) is composed of carbon (yellow), hydrogen (grey- white), nitrogen (blue) and oxygen (red). TNT is prepared by the direct nitration of toluene with a mixture of nitric and sulphuric acids. During detonation, the structure breaks down into several gases, including carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and nitrogen. This sudden change from a solid to many volumes of gas is what gives the explosive its power. TNT has been largely superceded by more efficient and destructive explosives.