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Free Radicals in Chemical Biology: from Chemical Behavior to Biomarker Development
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Radiolytic degradation of dodecane substituted with common energetic functional groups
Patricia L Huestis1, Nicholas Lease1, Chris E Freye1
1Los Alamos National Laboratory USA vwmanner@lanl.gov.
RSC Advances
|March 24, 2023
Summary
This study investigated how ionizing radiation affects explosives. Researchers found that nitrate esters are most susceptible to radiation damage, while nitro groups are most stable, revealing key insights into explosive material safety.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Chemistry
- Nuclear Science
Background:
- Explosives must endure harsh environments, including ionizing radiation.
- The chemical effects of ionizing radiation on explosives are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the radiation-induced chemical changes in common energetic functional groups.
- To determine the relative stability of these functional groups to ionizing radiation.
Main Methods:
- Dodecane substituted with azide, nitro, nitrate ester, and nitramine functional groups were gamma-irradiated using 60Co.
- Chemical changes were analyzed using NMR spectroscopy, gas chromatography, Raman spectroscopy, and FTIR spectroscopy.
Main Results:
- Damage was concentrated on the energetic functional group and weakest bond (trigger linkage).
- The susceptibility to radiolytic damage followed the trend: D-ONO2 > D-N3 > D-NHNO2 > D-NO2.
- Results align with the known stability of these groups to photolysis, thermolysis, and explosive insults.
Conclusions:
- Ionizing radiation significantly alters the chemical structure of explosives.
- Understanding these radiolytic effects is crucial for assessing the safety and stability of energetic materials in various environments.
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