Explosives, Microbial Degradation of

Hawari, Jalal; Halasz, Annamaria

doi:10.1002/0471263397.env255

Cited by 1 publication

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“…The decomposition of RDX can be initiated chemically ( , ), photochemically ( , ), biologically ( − ), or electrochemically ( , ). Although mechanisms of decomposition are not known with certainty, postulated sites of attack generally involve one of the nitro groups of RDX.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electrochemical Reduction of Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine in Aqueous Solutions

Bonin

Bejan

Schutt

et al. 2004

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Electrochemical reduction of RDX, hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine, a commercial and military explosive, was examined as a possible remediation technology for treating RDX-contaminated groundwater. A cascade of divided flow-through cells was used, with reticulated vitreous carbon cathodes and IrO2/Ti dimensionally stable anodes, initially using acetonitrile/water solutions to increase the solubility of RDX. The major degradation pathway involved reduction of RDX to the corresponding mononitroso compound, followed by ring cleavage to yield formaldehyde and methylenedinitramine. The reaction intermediates underwent further reduction and/or hydrolysis, the net result being the complete transformation of RDX to small molecules. The rate of degradation increased with current density, but the current efficiency was highest at low current densities. The technique was extended successfully both to 100% aqueous solutions of RDX and to an undivided electrochemical cell.

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