Base hydrolysis of TNT-Based explosives

Abstract Four TNT explosive formulations were treated with 1.5 M and 3 M solutions of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) at temperatures between 90°C and 150°C. The reaction time needed for over 99% conversion of the explosive compound was less than 5 minutes at 150°C for both Octol and Comp B, and less than 30 minutes at 90°C for Tritonal and Tetrytol. The TNT and Tetryl fractions of the explosive produced negligible gas and liquid products were ammonia, sodium acetate, sodium formate, and sodium nitrite. The RDX and HMX fractions produced a substantial amount of gas and the major products were nitrous oxide, nitrogen, and ammonia. The aluminum used in Tritonal was converted to aluminum hydroxide and hydrogen gas.