Saturation Transfer Difference NMR as an Analytical Tool for Detection and Differentiation of Plastic Explosives on the Basis of Minor Plasticizer Composition
Abstract
A novel, analytical saturation transfer difference (STD) NMR methodology has been developed to support the unambiguous identification and discrimination of Semtex and C-4 plastic explosive mixtures in complex matrixes on the basis of plasticizer composition. The approach is based on the ability of the STD NMR to completely eliminate all interfering NMR signals. Virtually extracting the proton spectrum of the plasticizers only (using their characteristic binding to serum albumin protein) enables the unambiguous structural identification. The results demonstrated that the observed STD chemical shifts of the plasticizers can be used as a reliable diagnostic target for the presence of the corresponding explosive mixture in complex matrices. The viability of the method was illustrated using control samples of commercially available plasticizers found in Semtex and C-4 explosive mixtures, either alone (pure) or in the presence of soil. Our novel approach was then successfully applied for the analysis of unknown explosive samples that had been sent to our laboratory for full characterization and explosive identification.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2015
- Accession Number
- ADA621999
Entities
People
- Rossitza K. Gitti
- Stanley A. Ostazeski
Organizations
- Edgewood Chemical Biological Center