Physico-chemical measurements of CL-20 for environmental applications. Comparison with RDX and HMX

CL-20 is a polycyclic energetic nitramine, which may soon replace the monocyclic nitramines RDX and HMX, because of its superior explosive performance. Therefore, to predict its environmental fate, analytical and physico-chemical data must be made available. An HPLC technique was thus developed to measure CL-20 in soil samples based on the US Environmental Protection Agency method 8330. We found that the soil water content and aging (21 days) had no effect on the recoveries (>92%) of CL-20, provided that the extracts were kept acidic (pH 3). The aqueous solubility of CL-20 was poor (3.6 mg l(-1) at 25 degrees C) and increased with temperature to reach 18.5 mg l(-1) at 60 degrees C. The octanol-water partition coefficient of CL-20 (log KOW = 1.92) was higher than that of RDX (log KOW = 0.90) and HMX (log KOW = 0.16), indicating its higher affinity to organic matter. Finally, CL-20 was found to decompose in non-acidified water upon contact with glass containers to give NO2- (2 equiv.), N2O (2 equiv.), and HCOO- (2 equiv.). The experimental findings suggest that CL-20 should be less persistent in the environment than RDX and HMX.     

Solubility of Solid Hexane and Cyclohexane in Liquid Argon at 87.3 K

The solubilities of solid hexane and cyclohexane in liquid argon at 87.3 K have been measured by the filtration method. The hexane and cyclohexane content in solution was determined using gas chromatography. The solubilities of the C₆ hydrocarbons in liquid argon at 87.3 K are (0.56 ± 0.11) × 10^-7 mole fraction for hexane and (1.04 ± 0.30) × 10^-7 mole fraction for cyclohexane. The Preston–Prausnitz method was used for calculation of the solubilities of solid hexane and cyclohexane in liquid argon in the temperature range 84–110 K. The values of the solvent–solute interaction constant l₁₂ were also calculated.     

Solubility of pentane, 2-methylbutane,and cyclopentane in liquid nitrogen at 77.4 K

The solubilities of pentane, 2-methylbutane (isopentane) and cyclopentane were measured in liquid nitrogen at 77.4 K by the filtration method. The solubilities of the C₅ hydrocarbons in liquid nitrogen at 77.4 K vary from 1.8×10^–8 mole fraction for cyclopentane, to 3.0×10^–8 mole fraction for pentane and 3.2×10^–7 mole fraction for 2-metylbutane. Correlations between the solubilities of alkanes, alkenes and cyclic hydrocarbons in liquid nitrogen, and some properties of solutes [normal boiling point T _b , enthalpy of vaporization at normal boiling point H _b and the mean of the enthalpy of vaporization and the enthalpy of melting [(H _b +H _m )/2] are presented.     

Thermodynamics of 4’-bromomethyl-2-cyanobiphenyl in different solvents

The melting properties and the heat capacity of the solid state and the melt state 4’-bromomethyl-2-cyanobiphenyl (OTBNBr) were determined. The enthalpy, entropy and Gibbs free energy of fusion were also calculated. The solubility of OTBNBr in eight organic solvents was experimentally measured at temperatures from (283.15 to 323.15) K by using a static method. The reasons for the differences of the solubility of OTBNBr in various solvents are discussed by using the intermolecular interaction. Furthermore, the experimental solubility values were well correlated by the modified Apelblat equation, the λh equation, the Wilson model and the van’t Hoff equation. Finally, the temperature dependence of the activity coefficient and the van’t Hoff enthalpy in the tested solutions was investigated and is discussed.     

Solubility of 1-Pentene Ice in Liquid Nitrogen and Argon at the Standard Boiling Points of the Solvents

The solubilities of 1-pentene ice in liquid nitrogen at a temperature of 77.4 K and in liquid argon at 87.3 K have been measured by the filtration method. The 1-pentene content in solution was determined using gas chromatography. The experimental value of the mole fraction solubility of 1-pentene ice in liquid nitrogen at 77.4 K is: (1.28±0.25)×10^–7 and (4.11±0.44)×10^–7 in liquid argon at 87.3 K. The Preston–Prausnitz method was used for calculation of the solubilities of 1-pentene ice in liquid nitrogen in the temperature range 64.0–90.0 K and in liquid argon in the temperature range 84.0–90.0 K. The parameters l ₁₂ were also calculated. At 90.0 K liquid argon is the better solvent for 1-pentene ice than is liquid nitrogen.