Composition and Mass Spectra of Impurities in Military Grade TNT Vapor

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Abstract
Characterization of the vapor from explosives is required for development of mine and explosives detection systems based upon trace gas analysis. This study was undertaken to evaluate the suitability of gas chromatographic electron capture techniques for investigating the composition of military grade TNT vapor, and to determine the mass spectra of the components in the vapor phase. Using a gas chromatographic method, the DNT and TNT isomeric impurities in vapor in equilibrium with typical military grade TNT were established. The 2, 4 DNT content of the vapor was almost as high as that of 2, 4, 6 TNT, the major component of the solid TNT. Mass spectra of all possible DNT and TNT isomers with the exception of 3, 4, 5 TNT were obtained as a function of ionization voltage. Mass spectra were also taken of several military grade TNT samples. Mass peaks common to both 2, 4 DNT and 2, 4, 6 TNT at m/e = 63 and 89 may be diagnostic for TNT using fragment ion type detection systems in that these peaks are not found in the mass spectra of compounds present in the atmosphere.

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