Role of water in degradation of nitroplasticizer

Roles of HNO x and Carboxylic Acids in the Thermal Stability of Nitroplasticizer

In the thermal aging of nitroplasticizer (NP), the produced nitrous acid (HONO) can decompose into reactive nitro-oxide species and nitric acid (HNO₃). These volatile species are prone to cause cascaded deterioration of NP and give rise to various acidic constituents. To gain insight on the early stage of NP degradation, an adequate method for measuring changes in the concentrations of HONO, HNO₃, and related acidic species is imperative. The typical assessment of acidity in nonaqueous solutions (i.e., acid number) cannot differentiate acidic species and thus presents difficulty in the measurement of HONO and HNO₃ at a micromolar concentration level. Using liquid-liquid extraction and ion chromatography (IC), we developed a fast and unambiguous analytical method to accurately determine the concentration of HONO, HNO₃, acetic/formic acids, and oxalic acid in aged NP samples. Given by the overlay analysis results of liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry and IC, the prominent increase of produced HONO after the depletion of antioxidants is the primary cause of HNO₃ formation in the late stage of NP degradation, which results in the acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of NP into 2,2-dinitropropanol and acetic/formic acids. Our study has demonstrated that the aging temperature plays a crucial role in accelerating the formation and decomposition of HONO, which consequently increases the acidity of aged NP samples and hence accelerates the hydrolyzation of NP. Therefore, to prevent NP from undergoing rapid degradation, we suggest that the concentration of HNO₃ should be maintained below 1.35 mM and the temperature under 38 °C.

Liquid Chromatography Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Eutectic Bis(2,2-dinitropropyl) Acetal/Formal Degradation Profile: Nontargeted Identification of Antioxidant Derivatives

In the eutectic mixture of bis(2,2-dinitropropyl) acetal (BDNPA) and bis(2,2-dinitropropyl) formal (BDNPF), also known as nitroplasticizer (NP), n-phenyl-β-naphthylamine (PBNA), an antioxidant, is used to improve the long-term storage of NP. PBNA scavenges nitrogen oxides (e.g., NO _x radicals) that are evolved from NP decomposition, hence slowing down the degradation of NP. Yet, little is known about the associated chemical reaction between NP and PBNA. Herein, using liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF), we thoroughly characterize nitrated PBNA derivatives with up to five NO₂ moieties in terms of retention time, mass verification, fragmentation pattern, and correlation with NP degradation. The propagation of PBNA nitration is found to depend on the temperature and acidity of the NP system and can be utilized as an indirect, yet reliable, means of determining the extent of NP degradation. At low temperatures (<55 °C), we find that the scavenging efficiency of PBNA is nullified when three NO₂ moieties are added to PBNA. Hence, the dinitro derivative can be used as a reliable indicator for the onset of hydrolytic NP degradation. At elevated temperatures (≥55 °C) and especially in the dry environment, the trace amount of water in the condensed NP (<700 ppm) is essentially removed, which accelerates the production of reactive species (e.g., HONO, HNO₃ and NO _x ). In return, the increased acidity due to HNO₃ formation catalyzes the hydrolysis of NP and PBNA nitro derivatives into 2,2-dinitropropanol (DNPOH) and nitrophenol/dinitrophenol, respectively.

Liquid Chromatography Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry: A Strategy for Optimization, Characterization, and Quantification of Antioxidant Nitro Derivatives

As an antioxidant, N-phenyl-β-naphthylamine (PBNA) inhibits the activity of oxidants, such as NO _x , to prevent the degradation of energetic materials. In the presence of NO _x , nitrated products can be generated in the process potentially. To characterize nitrated PBNA in a nontargeted analysis of complex samples as such, liquid chromatography tandem quadrupole time-of-flight (LC-QTOF), as an excellent analytic technique, is used due to its high resolution and sensitivity. However, a systematic approach of instrumentation optimization, data interpretation, and quantitative determination of products is needed. Through a step-by-step evaluation of the instrumental parameters used in the Q0, Q1, and Q2 compartments of LC-QTOF, optimal ion yields of precursor ions and high-resolution MS² fragmentation spectra at low mass defects were obtained in both negative and positive electrospray ionization modes. Through rationalization of the fragmentation pathways and verification using theoretical masses, the mononitro derivative of PBNA was accurately identified as N-(4-nitrophenyl)-naphthalen-2-amine and further confirmed using a reference standard. Using strict criteria provided by the analytical guidelines (e.g., SANTE), limit of quantitation, limit of detection, and calibration were established for the quantitation of PBNA and nitrated PBNA. From optimization to characterization and subsequent quantification of the mononitro-PBNA derivative, for the first time, the applicability of this strategy is demonstrated in the aged energetic binders.

Investigation into the Decomposition Pathways of an Acetal-Based Plasticizer

Until now, it has been assumed that the primary decomposition pathway for the liquid plasticizer bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)acetal and bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)formal (BDNPA/F) was nitrous acid elimination (NAE). An ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (QTOF) methodology was developed to discover and identify the degradation products of BDNPA/F. No evidence of NAE was found. However, two other degradation pathways were found: (1) hydrolysis of the acetal/formal functional group and (2) radical-based homolysis of the C-N bond, followed by hydrogen atom abstraction. Hydrolysis of BDNPA/F proceeds by the formation of 2,2-dinitropropanol (DNPOH) and 2,2-dinitropropyl hemiacetal/hemiformal, which further decompose into DNPOH and ethanal/methanal, respectively. Hydrolysis is the dominant decomposition pathway in all samples; however, at higher temperatures, C-N homolysis becomes more significant. Also, the solid PBX 9501 has different ratios of decomposition products than the liquid BDNPA/F due to the slower rate of diffusion through solids than liquids.