CHARACTERIZATION OF DMNB, A DETECTION AGENT FOR EXPLOSIVES, BY THERMAL-ANALYSIS AND SOLID-STATE NMR

The thermal properties of 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-dinitrobutane (DMNB), a det ection agent for explosives, have been determined by DSC measurements. Additionally, the results of an NMR study are compared with conclusio ns arrived at in the literature with regard to the source of two endot herms observed in the DSC. The thermal decomposition of DMNB is charac terized by an exotherm with an energy in excess of 3 kJ g(-1), observe d in conjunction with a third endotherm resulting from the fusion of D MNB. Arrhenius parameters determined from both variable heating rate a nd isothermal measurements in the DSC are compared with predicted valu es assuming various mechanisms for the decomposition process.