Explosives degradation products

Flammability information Flash point Fire point Flammable limits (LEL, UEL) Ignition temperature Spontaneous heating Toxic thermal degradation products Vapour pressure Dielectric constant Electrical resistivity Electrical group Explosion properties of dust in a fire... 

Identification of explosives and respective degradation products was done by comparing UV and MS spectra of known compounds from HPLC and LC-MS, respectively as well as by comparing their retention times with standards. 

Color reactions have been extensively used in the field of explosives analysis [1-3]. Their application is easy and the equipment required is simple and inexpensive. Their sensitivities are often in the sub-microgram range. They enable rapid, on-site diagnostic detection of explosive materials, and are also used for preliminary laboratory tests of materials suspected of being explosive. Moreover, these tests can help in diagnosing impurities and degradation products of explosives. 

The major degradation products of nitroaromatic explosives are aromatic amines [2]. They were detected in groundwater in areas of former TNT plants, using TLC [26]. Visualization was carried out by direct reaction with N- -naphthylethylenediamine, which produced red-violet spots. 

In the environmental field, the applications include analysis of explosives and their degradation products in soil and water. These analyses are important because of the toxicity of most explosives and the fact that many areas in the vicinity of explosives and munitions manufacturing plants are contaminated. 

During World War II, copious quantities of ordnance were lost into the harbor at Halifax, Nova Scotia. Decades later, these UUXO now present a significant environmental contamination problem. Studies conducted on this ordnance by Sandia National Laboratories [1] suggest that there may be sufficient concentrations of explosive chemical signature compounds emanating from UUXO to enable detection with chemical sensors. Some UUXO in Halifax Harbor have been shown to produce parts-per-billion levels of explosives in the water near the ordnance. In addition to the parent explosive compound (TNT), other explosive-related compounds such as 2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT) were detected, as were degradation products of TNT such as 4-amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene (4-ADNT), and... 

Physical and Chemical Properties. While the principal properties of diazinon are well characterized, (ASTER 1995 Howard 1991 HSDB 1996 Merck 1989) there are data gaps for melting point, odor and taste thresholds, autoignition temperature, flash point, and explosive limits for the compound. Additional information on these properties would be helpful in assessing the compound s environmental fate. There are also data gaps for some spontaneously-produced degradation products some of which may be as toxic or more toxic than diazinon. 

Another important environmental and forensic application is the identification of explosives and their degradation products. A method based on liquid chromatography was unable to produce baseline resolution of 14 nitroaromatic and nitramine explosive compounds. The problem was solved as Bailey et al. tested the separation of the same mixture in CEC mode (column packed with 1.5-pm C18 silica) [89]. A baseline resolution of all 14 compounds was realized in 7 min in a second run, performed in less than 2 min, only 2 analytes of 14 co-eluted. To stabilize EOF and reduce peak tailing, SDS was added to the mobile phase. As in previous surfactant-mediated studies mentioned, changes in the elution order of the compounds were observed, suggesting a more complex separation mechanism (Figure 18, from Ref. 89). 

Lower toxicity of the explosives, their biological degradation products and the detonation products. 

Explosive Recommendation for Interim Qualification , letter from Commander, NOL to Com-mander NOSC (ORD-0332) (30 July 1973) 46a) J. Autera, S. Bulusu H.J. Matsuguma, Determination of the Origin of Thermal Degradation Products of Minol-2 by Isotope Labelling , PAIR 4520 (Aug 1973) 47) A. Popo-... 

The wide use of nitro organic based energetic chemicals (NOCs), such as the aromatic TNT, and the nonaromatic cyclic nitramines RDX and HMX has resulted in the contamination of terrestrial and aquatic systems. Several reports (see Chapters 3-5 and 7-9 of this book) described the toxic and carcinogenic effects of explosives and their degradation products to various terrestrial, aquatic, and avian receptors. However, to determine the true identity of the chemicals that cause toxicity, the transport and transformation mechanisms of these chemicals must be understood. 

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