What question did this study set out to answer?

To elucidate the fundamental thermal decomposition mechanisms, dissociation channels, and translational energy release of RDX.

January 15, 1988The Journal of Chemical Physics

Infrared multiphoton dissociation of RDX in a molecular beam

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

XZXinsheng ZhaoJiangsu Normal University EHEric J. HintsaCooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences YLYuan T. LeeBerkeley College

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Molecular beam experiment demonstrates concerted symmetric triple fission dominates decomposition in RDX molecules, indicating key pathways in explosive reactions.

Key Points

To elucidate the fundamental thermal decomposition mechanisms, dissociation channels, and translational energy release of RDX.
Subjected a molecular beam of RDX to infrared multiphoton dissociation using a pulsed TEA CO2 laser.
Measured product velocity distributions and branching ratios as a function of laboratory angle using time-of-flight mass spectrometry.
Identified concerted symmetric triple fission into three CH2N2O2 fragments as the dominant primary decomposition channel, challenging the traditional model of primary NO2 bond rupture.
Detected two primary and four secondary dissociation channels, with secondary concerted reactions generating HCN, H2CO, HONO (or HNO2), and N2O.
Determined that concerted reaction pathways predominate over simple bond rupture in channel count and product yield while releasing substantial translational energy.

Cite This Study

Zhao et al. (1988) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a72392e26a7f98052de312e https://doi.org/10.1063/1.454158

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Implication

Molecular beam experiment demonstrates concerted symmetric triple fission dominates decomposition in RDX molecules, indicating key pathways in explosive reactions.

Infrared multiphoton dissociation of RDX in a molecular beam

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Infrared multiphoton dissociation of RDX in a molecular beam

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Also Consider

Also Consider