Determination of ethylene glycol dinitrate in dynamites using HPLC: Application to the plastic explosive Goma‐2 ECO

Abstract

In this study, a sequential extraction method using water and methanol to recover ethylene glycol dinitrate or nitroglycol (EGDN) contained in Goma-2 ECO dynamite was developed. After, an HPLC method was used for the determination of EGDN in the two extracted phases. The analytical method was validated by evaluating its selectivity, sensitivity, linearity, and linear working concentration range, limit of detection and quantitation, precision (as repeatability and intermediate precision), accuracy, and robustness, providing appropriate values (i.e. RSD values for precision about 6% and accuracy about 100%). Finally, the EGDN content of a sample of the Goma-2-ECO dynamite was determined obtaining a concentration of 30.29%, which is in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications for this dynamite (25.7-31.4%).

Dynamite Analysis by Raman Spectroscopy As a Unique Analytical Tool

“…In the case of EGDN, NG, and AN, several separation techniques were employed for their analysis. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used, after previous extraction, to recover and determine the EGDN content in one dynamite sample . HPLC coupled with electrospray ionization and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization in negative-ion mode was investigated for the analysis of NG and EGDN along with other seven additional explosive compounds.…”

“…High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used, after previous extraction, to recover and determine the EGDN content in one dynamite sample. 3 HPLC coupled with electrospray ionization and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization in negative-ion mode was investigated for the analysis of NG and EGDN along with other seven additional explosive compounds. Then, three additional forensic samples were used to demonstrate the validity of the developed methods.…”