Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 16, 2026

Inactivation of Pathogens via Visible-Light Photolysis of Riboflavin-5′-Phosphate
Published on: April 6, 2022
Photochemical transformation of the insensitive munitions compound 2,4-dinitroanisole
Balaji Rao1, Wei Wang, Qingsong Cai
1Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA. anandharaob@ornl.gov
Abstract:
The insensitive munitions compound 2,4-dinitroanisole (DNAN) is increasingly being used as a replacement for traditional, sensitive munitions compounds (e.g., trinitrotoluene [TNT]), but the environmental fate and photo-transformation of DNAN in natural water systems are currently unknown. In this study, we investigated the photo-transformation rates of DNAN with both ultraviolet (UV) and sunlight irradiation under different environmentally relevant conditions. Sunlight photo-transformation of DNAN in water was found to follow predominantly pseudo-first-order decay kinetics with an average half-life (t(1/2)) of approximately 0.70 d and activation energy (E(a)) of 53 kJ mol(-1). Photo-transformation rates of DNAN were dependent on the wavelength of the light source: irradiation with UV-B light (280-315 nm) resulted in a greater quantum yield of transformation (φ(UV-B)=3.7×10(-4)) than rates obtained with UV-A light (φ(UV-A)=2.9×10(-4) at 316-400 nm) and sunlight (φ(sun)=1.1×10(-4)). Photo-oxidation was the dominant mechanism for DNAN photo-transformation, based on the formation of nitrite (NO(2)(-)) and nitrate (NO(3)(-)) as major N species and 2,4-dinitrophenol as the minor species. Environmental factors (e.g., temperature, pH, and the presence or absence of naturally dissolved organic matter) displayed modest to little effects on the rate of DNAN photo-transformation. These observations indicate that sunlight-induced photo-transformation of DNAN may represent a significant abiotic degradation pathway in surface water, which may have important implications in evaluating the potential impacts and risks of DNAN in the environment.
Related Concept Videos
2° Amines to N-Nitrosamines: Reaction with NaNO2
1° Amines to Diazonium or Aryldiazonium Salts: Diazotization with NaNO2 Mechanism
Aryldiazonium Salts to Azo Dyes: Diazo Coupling
ortho–para-Directing Activators: –CH3, –OH, –⁠NH2, –OCH3
Diazonium Group Substitution: –OH and –H
1° Amines to Diazonium or Aryldiazonium Salts: Diazotization with NaNO2 Overview
The nitrous acid is unstable. Hence, it is formed in situ from a solution of sodium nitrite and cold aqueous acids such as hydrochloric or sulfuric acid. In an acidic solution, the –OH group of nitrous acid undergoes protonation to give oxonium ion, followed by water loss...

