Unimolecular Decomposition Reactions of Picric Acid and Its Methylated Derivatives─A DFT Study.

To handle energetic materials safely, it is important to have knowledge about their sensitivity. Density functional theory (DFT) has proven a valuable tool in the study of energetic materials, and in the current work, DFT is employed to study the thermal unimolecular decomposition of 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (picric acid, PA), 3-methyl-2,4,6-trinitrophenol (methyl picric acid, mPA), and 3,5-dimethyl-2,4,6-trinitrophenol (dimethyl picric acid, dmPA). These compounds have similar molecular structures, but according to the literature, mPA is far less sensitive to impact than the other two compounds. Three pathways believed important for the initiation reactions are investigated at 0 and 298.15 K. We compare the computed energetics of the reaction pathways with the objective of rationalizing the unexpected sensitivity behavior. Our results reveal a few if any significant differences in the energetics of the three molecules, and thus do not reflect the sensitivity deviations observed in experiments. These findings point toward the potential importance of crystal structure, crystal morphology, bimolecular reactions, or combinations thereof on the impact sensitivity of nitroaromatics.

Models for predicting impact sensitivity of energetic materials based on the trigger linkage hypothesis and Arrhenius kinetics.

In order to predict the impact sensitivity of high explosives, we designed and evaluated several models based on the trigger linkage hypothesis and the Arrhenius equation. To this effect, we calculated the heat of detonation, temperature of detonation, and bond dissociation energy for 70 energetic molecules. The bond dissociation energy divided by the temperature of detonation proved to be a good predictor of the impact sensitivity of nitroaromatics, with a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.81. A separate Bayesian analysis gave similar results, taking model complexity into account. For nitramines, there was no relationship between the impact sensitivity and the bond dissociation energy. None of the models studied gave good predictions for the impact sensitivity of liquid nitrate esters. For solid nitrate esters, the bond dissociation energy divided by the temperature of detonation showed promising results (R2 = 0.85), but since this regression was based on only a few data points, it was discredited when model complexity was accounted for by our Bayesian analysis. Since the temperature of detonation correlated with the impact sensitivity for nitroaromatics, nitramines, and nitrate esters, we consider it to be one of the leading predictive factors of impact sensitivity for energetic materials.

Headspace-trap gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for determination of sulphur mustard and related compounds in soil.

Methods for trace determination of sulphur mustard (HD) and some related cyclic sulphur compounds in soil samples have been developed using headspace-trap in combination with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Two quite different types of soil were employed in the method optimisation (sandy loam and silty clay loam). Prior to analysis, water saturated with sodium chloride was added to the samples, at a water to soil ratio of 1:1. A detection limit of 3 ng/g was achieved for HD, while the cyclic sulphur compounds 1,4-thioxane, 1,3-dithiolane and 1,4-dithiane could be detected at 0.2-0.7 ng/g. The methods were validated in the concentration range from the limit of quantification (LOQ) to hundred times LOQ. The within assay precision at fifty times LOQ was 6.9-7.3% relative standard deviation (RSD) for determination of the cyclic sulphur compounds, and 15% RSD for determination of HD. Recoveries were in the range of 43-60% from the two soil types. As the technique requires very little sample preparation, the total time for sample handling and analysis was less than 1h. The technique was successfully employed for the determination of cyclic sulphur compounds in a sediment sample from an old dumping site for chemical munitions, known to contain HD degradation products.

Trace determination of sulphur mustard and related compounds in water by headspace-trap gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

A method for trace determination of sulphur mustard (HD) and some of its cyclic decomposition compounds in water samples has been developed using headspace-trap in combination with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Factorial design was used for optimisation of the method. The trap technology allows enrichment and focusing of the analytes on an adsorbent, hence the technique offers better sensitivity compared to conventional static headspace. A detection limit of 1ng/ml was achieved for HD, while the cyclic sulphur compounds 1,4-thioxane, 1,3-dithiolane and 1,4-dithiane could be detected at a level of 0.1ng/ml. The method was validated for the stable cyclic compounds in the concentration range from the limit of quantification (LOQ: 0.2-0.4ng/ml) to hundred times LOQ. The within and between assay precisions at hundred times LOQ were 1-2% and 7-8% relative standard deviation, respectively. This technique requires almost no sample handling, and the total time for sampling and analysis was less than 1h. The method was successfully employed for muddy river water and sea water samples.