Analysis of Common Explosives in Different Solvents by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

The results of systematic multinuclear NMR studies of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane (RDX), 1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5, 7-tetraazacyclooctane (HMX) and 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO) are presented. For comparison of interactions between the analytes and the solvents, experiments in both deuterated DMSO and CDCl3 (where possible) were performed. Complete assignment of the resonance signals for the compounds investigated are presented. Analysis of the high resolution NTO spectra leads to new conclusions about the different reactivities of the N-H protons. The results can be used for many analytical purposes, such as solvent matching for extracting traces of explosives, controlling the purity of various samples etc.