Metabolic studies of explosives. 5. Detection and analysis of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene and its metabolites in urine of munition workers by micro liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry

Metabolites of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) were found in the urine of a group of TNT munition workers. The urine extracts were analysed by micro liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. The metabolites found included 2-amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene, 4-amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene, 2,4-diamino-6-nitrotoluene, 2,6-diamino-4-nitrotoluene and untransformed TNT. The detection limit of the metabolites in urine was 0.1 ng/ml for 20 ml urine samples.     

一种新的分离三硝基甲苯及其代谢产物的高效液相色谱方法

An HPLC method is described for separation of TNT and its main reduction metabolites. Two columns(LC-C(18) and LC-CN)are connected in series and operated isocratically at 1.0mL/min with water-methanol-tetrahydrofuran(60+ 35+ 5 ). The baseline separation of 4-amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene(4A) and 2-amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene(2A) ,which are main metabolites of TNT,is obtained(Rs=2.1).     

Applications of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry in metabolic studies of explosives

Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was used for the detection and identification of metabolites of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) in urine and blood. The metabolites were found in the urine of rats and in the blood of rabbits fed with TNT, in the urine of rats exposed to TNT by skin absorption and in the urine of TNT munition workers. The detected metabolites, formed by reduction processes, included 2-amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene, 4-amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene, 2,4-diamino-6-nitrotoluene and 2,6-diamino-4-nitrotoluene, in addition to untransformed TNT.     

Synthesis of 5,6-Dihydrophenanthridine (DHPA) Sulfonamides and Subsequent Acid-Catalyzed Rearrangement to Diaryl Sulfones

Selective method of reduction of the ortho-nitro groups in 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene by hydrazine hydrate in the presence of FeCl₃ and charcoal has been elaborated. This method allows obtaining either 2-amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene or 2,6-diamino-4-nitrotoluene as well as 2,4,6-triaminotoluene from TNT.     

Use of reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection for complete separation of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene metabolites and EPA Method 8330 explosives: influence of temperature and an ion-pair reagent

Explosives such as 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX), and hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) are widely distributed environmental contaminants. Complete chromatographic separation is necessary in order to accurately determine and quantify explosives and their degradation products in environmental samples and in (bio)transformation studies. The present study describes a RP-HPLC method with diode array detection using a LC-8 guard column, a Supelcosil LC-8 chromatographic column, and a gradient elution system. This gradient method is capable of baseline separating the most commonly observed explosives and TNT transformation metabolites including 2,4,6-triaminotoluene (TAT) in a single run. The TNT metabolites separated were 2-hydroxylamino-4,6-dinitrotoluene, 4-hydroxylamino-2,6-dinitrotoluene, 2,4-dihydroxylamino-6-nitrotoluene, 4,4',6,6'-tetranitro-2,2'-azoxytoluene, 2,2',6,6'-tetranitro-4,4'-azoxytoluene, 4,4',6,6'-tetranitro-2,2'-azotoluene, 2,2',6,6'-tetranitro-4,4'-azotoluene, 2-amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene, 4-amino-2, 6-dinitrotoluene, 2,6-diamino-4-nitrotoluene, 2,4-diamino-6-nitrotoluene, and TAT. The same gradient method at a different column temperature can also be used to baseline separate the explosives targeted in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Method 8330 with approximately 22% reduction in total run time and 48% decrease in solvent consumption compared to previously published methods. Good separation was also obtained when all TNT metabolites and EPA Method 8330 compounds (a total of 23 compounds) were analyzed together; only 2,6-DANT and HMX co-eluted in this case. The influence of temperature (35-55 degrees C) and the use of an ion-pair reagent on the chromatographic resolution and retention were investigated. Temperature was identified as the key parameter for optimal baseline separation. Increased temperature resulted in shorter retention times and better peak resolution especially for the aminoaromatics investigated. The use of an ion-pair reagent (octanesulfonic acid) generally resulted in longer retention times for compounds containing amine functional groups, more baseline noise, and decreased peak resolution.     

Sorption of nitroaromatic compounds to synthesized organoclays

This project quantifies the ability of seven engineered organoclays to sorb TNT and two of its reduction products: 2-amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene (2-A-4,6-DNT) and 4-amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene (4-A-2,6-DNT). The organoclays used in the TNT sorption studies were synthesized in the laboratory by combining bentonite with benzyltriethylammonium chloride (BTEA) at 50, 75, and 100% of the bentonite's cation exchange capacity and with hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HDTMA) at 25, 50, 75, and 100% of the bentonite's cation exchange capacity. For sorption of 2-A-4,6-DNT and 4-A-2,6-DNT, two organoclays were tested: BTEA at 50% CEC and HDTMA at 75% CEC. Sorption data with HDTMA organoclay and TNT were fit to linear isotherms and demonstrated that the clay's sorptive capacity increased as the amount of total organic carbon exchanged onto the clay increased. Sorption data with BTEA organoclay and TNT were fit to Langmuir isotherms; however, the clay's sorptive capacity increased as the amount of total organic carbon sorbed to the clay's surface was decreased. Sorption behavior for TNT reduction products 2-A-4,6-DNT and 4-A-2,6-DNT to one HDTMA organoclay and one BTEA organoclay demonstrated that HDTMA organoclay at 10.3% total organic carbon was a more effective sorbent than BTEA organoclay at 5.2% total organic carbon.     

In situ electrode modification for direct differential pulse polarography of 2,6-diaminopurine and its metabolite, 2,6-diamino-8-purinol

Preferential adsorption of allopurinol (1H-pyrazolo-[3,4-d]-pyrimidin-4-ol) at graphite electrodes from pH 7.0 phosphate buffer solutions of 2,6-diaminopurine and 2,6-diamino-8-purinol allowed in situ electrode modification. Modified electrodes were applied to the simultaneous determination of 2,6-diaminopurine and 2,6-diamino-8-purinol in phosphate buffer at pH 7.0. Differential pulse polarography allowed both compounds to be quantified in the concentration range 1 × 10^?6–5 × 10^?4 M. The relative standard deviation of the peak current is about 10%. Calibration curve characteristics are C (μM) = 0.0094 ± 0.0002 I (μA) + 0.22 ± 0.07 μA, with r = 0.9985 and C (μM) = 0.0065 ± 0.0001 I (μA) + 0.03 ± 0.04 μA with r = 0.9990 for 2,6-diamino-8-purinol and 2,6-diaminopurine, respectively.     

Rapid voltammetric determination of nitroaromatic explosives at electrochemically activated carbon-fibre electrodes

The electrochemical behaviour of some nitroaromatic explosives (2,4,6-trinitrotoluene, TNT; 2,6-dinitrotoluene, 2,6-DNT; 2-nitrotoluene, 2-NT; 2-amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene, 2-A-4,6-DNT; 3,5-dinitroaniline, 3,5-DNA; and nitrobenzene, NB) at electrochemically activated carbon-fibre microelectrodes is reported. Electrochemical activation of such electrode material by repeated square-wave (SW) voltammetric scans between 0.0 and +2.6 V versus Ag/AgCl, produced a dramatic increase in the cathodic response from these compounds. This is attributed to the increase of the carbon-fibre surface area, because of its fracture, and the appearance of deep fissures along the main fibre axis into which the nitroaromatic compounds penetrate. Based on the important contribution of adsorption and/or thin layer electrolysis to the total voltammetric response, a SW voltammetric method for rapid detection of nitroaromatic explosives was developed. No interference was found from compounds such as hydrazine, phenolic compounds, carbamates, triazines or surfactants. The limits of detection obtained are approximately 0.03 g mL^–1 for all the nitroaromatic compounds tested. The method was applied for the determination of TNT in water and soil spiked samples; recoveries were higher than 95% in all cases.     

Regioselectivity of partial chemical and electroreduction of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene

Partial electroreduction of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene yields 4-hydroxylamine-2,6-dinitrotoluene and 2-hydroxylamine-4, 6-dinitrotoluene in a ratio of about 3 : 1. Similar regioselectivity occurs in the reduction of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene by ions Ti³⁺ and V²⁺, yielding isomeric dinitrotoluidines.     

Development of new rat monoclonal antibodies with different selectivities and sensitivities for 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and other nitroaromatic compounds

Five new rat monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and other nitroaromatic compounds, including, especially, the metabolite 2-amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene (2-ADNT), are described. Five heterogeneous, competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were developed. Assay 1 uses mAb DNT4 3F6 as recognition element and gives a standard curve for TNT in 40 mmol L^–1 phosphate buffered saline (PBS) with a test midpoint (IC₅₀) of 0.26±0.08 g L^–1 (n=20). Assay 2 (mAb DNT4 4G4) has an IC₅₀ of 0.35±0.07 g L^–1 (n=18), assay 3 (mAb DNT4 1A3) has an IC₅₀ of 0.73±0.14 g L^–1 (n=15), and assay 4 (mAb DNT4 1A7) has an IC₅₀ of 2.32±0.70 g L^–1 (n=15). Assay 5 (mAb DNT2 4B4) is very selective for 2-ADNT and has an IC₅₀ of 8.5±1.7 g L^–1 (n=15) in PBS. These antibodies for nitroaromatic compounds differ not only in their sensitivity but also in their selectivity. Major cross-reactants are 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene, 2-ADNT, 4-amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene (4-ADNT), 2,4-dinitroaniline, 3,5-dinitroaniline, and 2,6-dinitroaniline. Although assay 5 is not highly sensitive, the mAb DNT2 4B4 in this assay is highly selective for 2-ADNT. Of all the compounds tested, only 2,4-dinitroaniline and 3,5-dinitroaniline had relevant cross reactivities, 18% and about 26%, respectively. Two ELISAs, using mAbs DNT4 3F6 and DNT2 4B4, were used to analyze different concentrations of TNT and 2-ADNT, respectively, in three different surface water matrices (river and lake water). Both assays were affected by the matrix, but usually performed well (recovery within the range 70–120%). In addition, these ELISAs were used to analyze mixtures of TNT, 2-ADNT, and 4-ADNT, at three different concentrations, in the same water matrices. A different recognition pattern was clearly visible with both assays and depended on the cross reactivities of the corresponding mAb.Dedicated to the memory of Wilhelm Fresenius     

Synthesis and alkylation ofN-methylmorpholinium 6-amino-3,5-dicyano-4-methylpyridine-2-thiolate

The condensation of acetaldehyde with a twofold excess of cyanothioacetamide andN-methylmorpholine givesN-methylmorpholinium 6-amino-3,5-dicyano-4-methylpyridine-2-thiolate. This compound is also formed by recyclization of 2,6-diamino-3,5-dicyano-4-methyl-4H-thiopyran. From this pyridinethiolate, several substituted 2-alkylthiopyridines and 3,6-diamino-5-cyano-4-methyl-2-methoxycarbonylthieno[2,3-b]pyridine were obtained.     

Diastereoselective synthesis of enantioenriched homopropargyl amino alcohols from α-dibenzylamino aldehydes and their use as chiral synthons

Homochiral α-dibenzylamino aldehydes, prepared from the corresponding α-amino acids, react with propargyl bromide and zinc in DMF/THF (1:1) or DMF/Et₂O (1:1) at 20 °C to afford, in good yields and dr, homopropargylic 1,2-amino alcohols. anti Diastereomers were always formed as major products in this reaction. These compounds are versatile intermediates for a variety of synthetic targets: γ-amino-β-hydroxy-ketones, 4-amino-1,3-diols, 1,7-diamino-2,6-diols, and ω-amino-δ-hydroxy esters.     

Spectroscopic identification of some derivatives of 3,4-diamino-4H-1,2,4-triazole and 3-Hydrazino-4H-1,2,4-triazole

Spectroscopic methods (ir, ¹H- and ¹³C-nmr, ms and uv) have been used for the structural elucidation and identification of different isomeric 1,2,4-triazole derivatives, obtained by cyclisation reactions from appropriate diaminoguanidines. The four compounds 3,4-diamino-4H-1,2,4-triazole, 3-hydrazino-4H-1,2,4-triazole, 3-amino-4-(2,6-dichlorobenzylideneamino)-4H-1,2,4-triazole and 3-(2,6-dichlorobenzylidenehydrazino)-4H-1,2,4-triazole, were chosen as representative structures to illustrate the general spectroscopic properties for 3,4-diamino- and 3-hydrazino-substituted 4H-1,2,4-triazoles and the corresponding hydrazones, with different substituents in the 5-position of the triazole ring (alkyl-, aralkyl-, mercapto-, hydroxy- and amino-groups). Nmr and uv spectroscopy were found to be the best methods for confirmation of the different series of hydrazones, while ir and nmr were found to be suitable for the structural elucidation of compounds in the series of 3,4-diamino- and 3-hydrazino-4H-1,2,4-triazoles, respectively.     

Electrochemical oxidation of 2,6-diamino-8-purinol

Electrochemistry, spectroelectrochemistry and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry were used to determine the mechanism of oxidation of 2,6-diamino-8-purinol in phosphate buffer solutions. Experimental evidence indicates that the overall process is a 2 e⁻, 2 H⁺ reaction in which 2,6,-diamino-8-purinol is oxidized to form a diimine. The diimine is not stable and decomposes in a series of hydrolysis reactions to the final products 5-hydroxyghdantoin-5-carboxamide and 1-carbohydroxy2-,4,6,8-tetraaza-3,7-dioxo-4-ene-bicyclo[3,3,0]octane (BCA). Results are presented which show that the 2 e⁻ oxidation of 2,6-diamino-8-purinol proceeds in two 1 e⁻ steps and the evidence for the formation of a coupling product is discussed. A mechanism is proposed to explain the observed results.     

Pathways for Degrading TNT by Thu-Z: a Pantoea sp. Strain

2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT), an extensively used and versatile explosive, is harmful in soil and water. In the present study, four bacterial strains capable of degrading TNT have been isolated from contaminated sites and named as Thu-A, Thu-B, Thu-C, and Thu-Z. Thu-Z, which gave the highest degradation efficiency compared to the others, was assigned to the genus Pantoea according to its 16S rRNA gene. Similarities in both biochemical properties and morphology suggested that Thu-Z was a Pantoea sp. strain. Thu-Z was proved to be capable of using TNT as a sole nitrogen source by cleaving NO₂ from the nitroaromatic ring by direct aromatic ring reduction. Under nitrogen-limited conditions, 96.6?%?N of TNT was consumed by Thu-Z for growth, which was determined in terms of NaNO₂. Trace nitro reduction metabolites such as 2,4-diamino-6-nitrotoluene (24Dam) and 2,6-diamino-4-nitrotoluene (26Dam) were identified in the presence of (NH₄)₂SO₄. On the other hand, 4,4??,6,6??-tetranitro-2,2??-azoxytoluene (22Azo) and 2,2??,6,6??-tetranitro-4,4??-azoxytoluene (44Azo) were detected in the absence of (NH₄)₂SO₄. These indicated the existence of a dual pathway for Thu-Z, while the direct aromatic ring reduction was predominant. Addition of a nitrogen source ((NH₄)₂SO₄) after inoculation stimulated the growth of Thu-Z and accelerated TNT degradation.     

Reactivity of some 3-substituted derivatives of 2,6-dihalogenopyridines towards potassium amide in liquid ammonia [a]

Reactions of 2,6-dichloro-3-phenyl-, 2,6-dibromo-3-phenyl-, 2,6-dichloro-3-dimethylamino- and 2,6-dibromo-3-dimethylaminopyridine with potassium amide in liquid ammonia were investigated. Whereas 2,6-dichloro-3-phenylpyridine yields 4-amino-2-benzylpyrimidine, from 2,6-dibromo-3-phenylpyridine as a product of a novel ring fission 2-amino-l-cyano-l-phenyl-but-l-en-3-yne was isolated, together with 4-amino-6-bromo-3-phenylpyridine and 2,6-diamino-3-phenylpyridine. It was shown that neither 2-amino-6-bromo-3-phenyl- nor 6-amino-2-bromo-3-phenylpyridine are intermediates in the formation of the 2,6-diamino derivative, as these bromo compounds are transformed in the basic medium into 1,3-dicyano-l-phenylpropene. From both 2,6-di-chloro-3-dimethylamino- and 2,6-dibromo-3-dimethylaminopyridine mixtures are obtained from which only 2-amino-l-cyano-l-dimethylamino-but-l-en-3-yne and 4-amino-6-halogeno-3-dimethylaminopyridine were isolated. Mechanisms for the reactions studied are proposed, i.e. a S_N(ANRORC) mechanism for the aminodebromination of 2,6-dibromo-3-phenylpyridine into the corresponding 2,6-diamino compound.     

Synthesis of substituted dihydrobenzo[f]pyrimido[4,5-b]-quinolines as tetracyclic 5-deaza nonclassical folates

Cyclocondensation of 2,4,6-triaminopyrimidine ( 10 ) with chlorovinyl aldehyde 7 afforded the linear regioisomer 9,1 1-diamino-5,6-dihydrobenzo[f]pyrimido[4,5-c]quinoline ( 1 ) while the cyclocondensation of 2,6-diamino-4-hydroxypyrimidine ( 11 ) or 6-amino-2,4-dihydroxypyrimidine ( 12 ) with chlorovinyl aldehyde 7 was regiospecific affording the linear regioisomers 9-amino-11-oxo-5,6-dihydrobenzo[f]pyrimido[4,5-c]quinoline ( 2 ) and 9,11-dioxo-5,6-dihydrobenzo[f]pyrimido[4,5-c]quinoline ( 3 ) respectively. The linear structures of these compounds were established by ¹H nmr and ¹³C nmr spectral data.     

Photocatalytic self-assembled solid porphyrin microcrystals from water-soluble porphyrins: Synthesis,characterization and application

In this article, we report on the formation of a photocatalytic porphyrin crystalline structure using two oppositely charged commercially available low cost porphyrins, [meso-tetra(N-methy-4-pyridyl)porphyrin tetratosylate (TMPyP) and zinc-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin (Zn-TPPS)], by self-assembly at room temperature without acidification. Using optical microscopy, the crystals were determined to have a length of 30–55 μm and width of 2–50 μm, depending on the molar ratio of the porphyrins in the starting solution. The porphyrin crystals were characterized by means of powder X-ray diffraction and UV–Vis, fluorescence, and optical microscopic techniques. The UV–Vis absorbance spectrum of the crystalline structure is different than those of the monomer solutions, involving a broadened Soret band that is split into two blue-shifted and red-shifted peaks and broadened red-shifted Q-bands. The crystals exhibit a different emission spectrum from those of the porphyrin solutions in that they are red-shifted, split, and show a dramatic decrease in intensities. A hypothetical model for the crystal structure of the porphyrin crystals is developed. Illumination of the crystals in a 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene solution with a tungsten lamp results in TNT reduction to 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene and 4-amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene.     

Selection of hapten structures for indirect immunosensor arrays

A multianalyte immunosensor array can be implemented by immobilization of different haptens in distinct areas of a single cavity or flow cell. In this case a mixture of different antibodies for different analytes is used in an indirect ELISA-format. The selection of the right hapten structures is very important to build up an array successfully. A system of independent hapten/antibody combinations is needed, with one immobilized hapten (coating antigen) reacting only with one antibody. If more than one antibody binds to a coating antigen no ideal calibration curves are obtained. This phenomenon is known as shared-reactivity and can lead to double-sigmoidal curves. To use monoclonal antibodies to 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), two different haptens had to be found, one only reacting with the TNT-antibody, the other only binding to the 2,4-D-antibody. 2,4-Dichlorophenoxybutyric acid was used for the 2,4-D antibody and 2,4,6-trinitrophenyl-8-aminooctanoic acid for the TNT antibody. Although 4-nitrotoluene, 2,4-dinitrotoluene and 4-amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene showed only very low cross-reactivities to the 2,4-D antibody the corresponding haptens 4-nitrophenylacetic acid, 2,4-dinitrophenyl-6-aminohexanonic acid, and 4-amino-2,6-dinitrotoluyl-(N)-glutarate are useful coating antigens for this antibody. The structure of the coating antigens had no significant influence on the midpoints (IC50) of the test for 2,4-D and even haptens with very low cross-reactivities could be used. With all haptens a test midpoint of about 0.2 μg/L for 2,4-D was achieved. For the direct assay format with immobilized antibodies the same test midpoint of 0.2 μg/L for 2,4-D was obtained. As a conclusion, the selectivity of a monoclonal antibody should not be influenced by the used tracer or coating antigen as well. It could be shown that the affinity constants of an antibody to the analytes are the main sensitivity and selectivity determining parameters for competitive immunoassays. A two-dimensional microtiter plate array was used to determine the analytes 2,4-D and TNT in parallel with a mixture of antibodies. Received: 29 July 1998 / Revised: 21 October 1998 / Accepted: 10 November 1998     

Determination of nitroaromatic, nitramine, and nitrate ester explosives in soil by gas chromatography and an electron capture detector

Hazardous waste site characterization, forensic investigations, and land mine detection are scenarios where soils may be collected and analyzed for traces of nitroaromatic, nitramine, and nitrate ester explosives. These thermally labile analytes are traditionally determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC); however, commercially available deactivated injection port liners and wide-bore capillary columns have made routine analysis by gas chromatography (GC) possible. The electron-withdrawing nitro group common to each of these explosives makes the electron capture detector (ECD) suitable for determination of low concentrations of explosives in soil, water, and air. GC-ECD and HPLC-UV concentration estimates of explosives residues in field-contaminated soils from hazardous waste sites were compared, and correlation (r>0.97) was excellent between the two methods of analysis for each of the compounds most frequently detected: 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX), 2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT), 1,3-dinitrobenzene (1,3-DNB), 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene (TNB), and octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX). The analytes were extracted from soils with acetonitrile by 18 h of sonication in a cooled ultrasonic bath. Two soil-to-solvent ratios were evaluated: 2.00 g:10.00 ml and 25.0 g:50.0 ml. GC-ECD method detection limits were similar for the two soil-to-solvent ratios and were about 1 mug kg(-1) for the di- and trinitroaromatics, about 10 mug kg(-1) for the mono-nitroaromatics, 3 mug kg(-1) for RDX, 25 mug kg(-1) for HMX, and between 10 and 40 mug kg(-1) for the nitrate esters (nitroglycerine [NG] and pentaerythritol tetranitrate [PETN]). Spike recovery studies revealed artifacts introduced by the spiking procedure. Recoveries were low in some soils if the amount of soil spiked was large (25.0 g) compared to the volume of spike solution added (1.00 ml). Recoveries were close to 100% when 2.00-g soil samples were spiked with 1.00 ml of solution. Analytes most frequently found in soils collected near buried land mines were the microbial transformation products of TNT (2-amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene [2-Am-DNT] and 4-amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene [4-Am-DNT]), manufacturing impurities of TNT (2,4-DNT, 2,6-DNT, and 1,3-DNB), and TNT. The microbial reduction products of the isomers of DNT and of 1,3-DNB were also detected, but the ECD response to these compounds is poor.