Photochemistry of TNT: Investigation of the 'Pink Water' Problem

Abstract

Irradiated aqueous solutions of TNT ('pink water') were found to contain numerous organic compounds. Eight photo-decomposition products, amounting to 20% by weight of the photolyzed TNT, have been identified as 1,3,5- trinitrobenzene, 2,4,6-trinitrobenzaldehyde, 4,6-dinitroanthranil, 2,4,6- trinitrobenzonitrile, and four isomers of tetranitroazoxytoluene. Suggestions are put forth on the nature of the 80% photo-decomposition products remaining unidentified in the 'pink water' based on the photolysis results of the individual photo-products isolated. Evidence is also presented on the nature of the primary photolytic process based on deuterium exchange experiments and the measurement of photo-decomposition at various acidities.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 03, 1973
Accession Number
AD0769670

Entities

People

  • Charles E. Adams
  • Lloyd A. Kaplan
  • Nicholas E. Burlinson

Organizations

  • Naval Ordnance Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Ammunition
  • Aqueous Solutions
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Chromatography
  • Classification
  • Decomposition
  • Explosive Ordnance Disposal
  • Explosives
  • Gas Chromatography
  • High Explosives
  • Munitions
  • Navy
  • Ordnance Laboratories
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Photochemical Reactions
  • Quantum Yields

Readers

  • Agricultural Chemistry/Soil Science
  • Molecular Photonics/Laser Physics
  • Systems Analysis and Design