High Pressure Raman Spectroscopic Study of the Effects of n-Ethylamines and Water on the 2-Nitropropane/Nitric Acid System

• Published in: Propellants, explosives, pyrotechnics explosives, pyrotechnics, 2005-12, Vol.30 (6), p.418-424
• Main Authors: Gobin, Cedric, Petitet, Jean Pierre
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 2-Nitropropane; High Pressure; n-Ethylamines; Nitric Acid; Raman Spectroscopy
• ISSN: 0721-3115; 1521-4087
• DOI: 10.1002/prep.200500034

High pressure Raman spectroscopy measurements in a diamond anvil cell (0–10 GPa) on 2‐nitropropane/nitric acid/X (X=triethylamine, diethylamine, and water) ternary systems and 2‐nitropropane/nitric acid/water/Y (Y=triethylamine and diethylamine) quaternary systems are reported. The modifications of the chemical behavior of the 2‐nitropropane/nitric acid model system, induced by the presence of triethylamine, diethylamine, and/or water, were studied at ambient and high pressure. At ambient pressure, the ionization of the nitric acid has been observed with each of the additives. Moreover, in the case of ethylamines, new peaks have been observed and the hypothesis of a 2‐nitropropane/ethylamine complex is advanced. At high pressure, the decomposition of the 2‐nitropropane/nitric acid system, with an oxygen balance near zero, has been observed only in presence of triethylamine. The role of each additive to the 2‐nitropropane/nitric acid system in the modification of the respective reducing and oxidizing character of the components, and in the reactivity of the system, is discussed. Several hypotheses are advanced concerning the sensitizing effect of the additives on the 2‐nitropropane/nitric acid system.