Mass spectrometric study of the thermal decomposition of 1,3,5-trinitrohexahydro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX)

Abstract

The thermal decomposition of RDX has been studied over the temperature range 130–230°C under free molecular flow conditions which allow reactions in the gas phase and reactions in the condensed phase to be clearly distinguished. Analysis by quadrupole mass spectrometry has revealed the participation of four separate mechanisms. Two of these involve isolated RDX molecules and take place either by stripping of HNO₂ and NO₂ groups leaving the ring intact (low temperature) or by ring breaking with elimination of CH₂O (high temperature).