Turn-on fluorescence detection of H2O2 and TATP

Peroxide-based explosives, like triacetone triperoxide (TATP), are important targets for detection because of their broad use in improvised explosives but pose challenges. We report a highly sensitive turn-on fluorescence detection for H2O2 and organic peroxides, including TATP. The detection strategy relies on oxidative deboronation to unmask H2Salen, which subsequently binds Zn(2+) to form fluorescent Zn(Salen). Sensitivity is excellent, with detection limits below 10 nM for H2O2, TATP, and benzoyl peroxide. In addition, acid treatment is necessary to sense TATP, suggesting the potential to discriminate between H2O2 and TATP based upon minimal sample pretreatment.     

A colorimetric sensor array for detection of triacetone triperoxide vapor

Triacetone triperoxide (TATP), one of the most dangerous primary explosives, has emerged as an explosive of choice for terrorists in recent years. Owing to the lack of UV absorbance, fluorescence, or facile ionization, TATP is extremely difficult to detect directly. Techniques that are able to detect generally require expensive instrumentation, need extensive sample preparation, or cannot detect TATP in the gas phase. Here we report a simple and highly sensitive colorimetric sensor for the detection of TATP vapor with semiquantitative analysis from 50 ppb to 10 ppm. By using a solid acid catalyst to pretreat a gas stream, we have discovered that a colorimetric sensor array of redox sensitive dyes can detect even very low levels of TATP vapor from its acid decomposition products (e.g., H(2)O(2)) with limits of detection (LOD) below 2 ppb (i.e., <0.02% of its saturation vapor pressure). Common potential interferences (e.g., humidity, personal hygiene products, perfume, laundry supplies, volatile organic compounds, etc.) do not generate an array response, and the array can also differentiate TATP from other chemical oxidants (e.g., hydrogen peroxide, bleach, tert-butylhydroperoxide, peracetic acid).     

Polymer-coated cation-exchange stationary phases on the basis of silica

Summary The procedure of polymer coating of preferably inorganic porous particle support materials for LC has been applied to the preparation of a new type of weak cationexchange phases. A special copolymer of butadiene and maleic acid could be immobilized on silica by cross-linking effected with radical starters such as peroxides or γ-radiation. The chromatographic properties of such materials proved to be excellent regarding efficiency, ion-exchange capacity and selectivity, as well as chemical stability also in comparison to other, commercially available, materials. Test measurements were successfully performed with ionic or ionizable inorganic and organic solutes over the entire applicable pH-range of the mobile phase which also contained organic modifiers. A special feature of the new type of cation-exchange phase is the minor contribution of hydrophobic (lipophilic) interaction to the retention mechanism besides the actual ion-exchange process.     

Reactions of Organic Peroxides with Alcohols in Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization—the Pitfalls of Quantifying Triacetone Triperoxide (TATP)

Over the last several decades, mass spectrometry has become one of the principle methods for compound identification and quantification. While for analytical purposes, fragments which are not fully characterized in terms of origin and intensity as a function of experimental conditions have been used, understanding the nature of those species is very important. Herein we discuss such issues relative to triacetone triperoxide (TATP) and its frequently observed fragment at m/z 89. This “fragment” has been identified as the gas-phase reaction product of TATP with one or two methanol molecules/ions. Additionally, the origin and conditions of other fragments at m/z 91, 75, and 74 associated with TATP will be addressed. Similar analytical issues associated with other multi-peroxide organic compounds [hexamethylene triperoxide diamine (HMTD), methyl ethyl ketone peroxides (MEKP)] will also be discussed. Solution storage conditions for TATP, HMTD, and tetramethylene diperoxide diamine dialdehyde have been determined.

Open image in new window

Graphical Abstract ?

     

Characterization of selected organic compound classes in secondary organic aerosol from biogenic VOCs by HPLC/MS<Superscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Superscript>

The formation of secondary organic aerosols (SOA) has been investigated intensively during the last two decades in numerous field and laboratory studies and a general understanding exists about the major particle-phase products. However, recent studies show that several new product classes, such as esters, peroxides or organosulfates, also have to be considered in order to understand the detailed chemical mechanisms leading to SOA as well as to predict the aerosol mass loadings. For the identification and quantification of these three compound classes as well as for carboxylic SOA compounds, liquid chromatography (LC)/mass spectrometry (MS) is the most appropriate analytical method. In this article we try to summarize briefly the work that has been done for the determination of SOA-related carboxylic acids and we present new LC/tandem MS results on the characterization of esters, peroxides and organosulfates. In contrast to earlier work, the mass-spectrometric characterization of the individual compounds is always based on the comparison with authentic reference compounds.     

Organic peroxide production in the Cl_2-ethane-air photoreaction system

HPLC along with FT-IR technique was used to study the formation of organic peroxides in the CI2-ethane-air photoreaction system. Ethyl hydroperoxide (CH3CH2OOH, EHP) and per-oxyacetic acid ( CH3C(O)OOH, PAA) were conformed to be the peroxide product in the reaction system. In addition, methyl hydroperoxide (CH3OOH, MHP), hydroxymethyl hydroperoxide (HOCH2OOH, HMHP) and two unidentified organic peroxides were detected for the first time. EHP and MHP were the dominant peroxide products. The identification of HMHP showed that Criegee biradical CH2OO may be formed as an intermediate in the oxidation of ethane. Simulation results showed that photooxidation of ethane may make substantial contribution to source of organic peroxides in the atmosphere.     

Atomistic-scale simulations of the initial chemical events in the thermal initiation of triacetonetriperoxide

To study the initial chemical events related to the detonation of triacetonetriperoxide (TATP), we have performed a series of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. In these simulations we used the ReaxFF reactive force field, which we have extended to reproduce the quantum mechanics (QM)-derived relative energies of the reactants, products, intermediates, and transition states related to the TATP unimolecular decomposition. We find excellent agreement between the QM-predicted reaction products and those observed from 100 independent ReaxFF unimolecular MD cookoff simulations. Furthermore, the primary reaction products and average initiation temperature observed in these 100 independent unimolecular cookoff simulations match closely with those observed from a TATP condensed-phase cookoff simulation, indicating that unimolecular decomposition dominates the thermal initiation of the TATP condensed phase. Our simulations demonstrate that thermal initiation of condensed-phase TATP is entropy-driven (rather than enthalpy-driven), since the initial reaction (which mainly leads to the formation of acetone, O(2), and several unstable C(3)H(6)O(2) isomers) is almost energy-neutral. The O(2) generated in the initiation steps is subsequently utilized in exothermic secondary reactions, leading finally to formation of water and a wide range of small hydrocarbons, acids, aldehydes, ketones, ethers, and alcohols.     

Analysis of oligomeric peroxides in synthetic triacetone triperoxide samples by tandem mass spectrometry

Oligomeric peroxides formed in the synthesis of triacetone triperoxide (TATP) have been analyzed by mass spectrometry utilizing both electrospray ionization (ESI) and chemical ionization (CI) to form sodiated adducts (by ESI) and ammonium adducts (by CI and ESI). Tandem mass spectrometry and deuterium isotopic labeling experiments have been used to elucidate the collision‐induced dissociation (CID) mechanisms for the adducts. The CID mechanisms differ for the sodium and ammonium adducts and vary with the size of the oligoperoxide. The sodium adducts of the oligoperoxides, H[OOC(CH₃)₂]_nOOH, do not cyclize under CID, whereas the ammonium adducts of the smaller oligoperoides (n < 6) do form the cyclic peroxides under CID. Larger oligoperoxide adducts with both sodium and ammonium undergo dissociation through cleavage of the backbone under CID to form acyl‐ and hydroperoxy‐terminated oligomers of the general form CH₃C(O)[OOC(CH₃)₂]_xOOH, where x is an integer less than the original oligoperoxide degree of oligomerization. The oligoperoxide distribution is shown to vary batch‐to‐batch in the synthesis of TATP and the post‐blast distribution differs slightly from the distribution in the uninitiated material. The oligoperoxides are shown to be decomposed under gentle heating. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of soman and VX degradation products by an aspiration ion mobility spectrometry

An aspiration type ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) has been used to determine chemical warfare agent (CWA) degradation products from liquid samples. This technique is based on ion mobility which depends on the molecular weight, charge and shape. With this method, it is possible to measure the mobility distribution of positive and negative ion clusters simultaneously in six different electrodes. Each measuring electrode determines a different portion of the ion mobility distribution formed within the cell’s radioactive source. The strongest responses for all CWA degradation products and 2-propanol were seen in the order of sixth, fifth and second channels. On the basis of projection calculation, the fingerprints for 2-propanol and soman (GD; pinacolyl methylphosphonofluoridate) and VX o-ethyl-S-[2(diisopropylamino)ethyl] methylphosphonothioate) degradation products can be separated from each other. The detection levels for ethyl methylphosphonate (EMPA), pinacolyl methylphosphonate (PMPA), and ethylphosphonic acid (EPA) were 37.2 (37.2 μg/ml), 54.1 (54.1 μg/ml) and 55.1 ppm (55.1 μg/ml), respectively. However, the separation efficiency between different CWA degradation products was quite poor. The projections of these compounds were between 0.9976 and 0.9989, and this means that these fingerprints were identical. Thus, it is only possible to get one profile for all these degradation products of soman and VX. The data provided show that IMS is suitable as a simple technique for screening of CWA degradation products.     

Mass spectrometric analysis of chemical warfare agents and their degradation products in soil and synthetic samples

A packed capillary liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS) method was developed for the identification of chemical warfare agents, their degradation products and related compounds in synthetic tabun samples and in soil samples collected from a former mustard storage site. A number of organophosphorus and organosulfur compounds that had not been previously characterized were identified, based on acquired high-resolution ESI-MS data. At lower sampling cone voltages, the ESI mass spectra were dominated by protonated, sodiated and protonated acetonitrile adducts and/or their dimers that could be used to confirm the molecular mass of each compound. Structural information was obtained by inducing product ion formation in the ESI interface at higher sampling cone voltages. Representative ESI-MS mass spectra for previously uncharacterized compounds were incorporated into a database as part of an on-going effort in chemical warfare agent detection and identification. The same samples were also analyzed by capillary column gas chromatography (GC)-MS in order to compare an established method with LC-ESI-MS for chemical warfare agent identification. Analysis times and full-scanning sensitivities were similar for both methods, with differences being associated with sample matrix, ease of ionization and compound volatility. GC-MS would be preferred for organic extracts and must be used for the determination of mustard and relatively non-polar organosulfur degradation products, including 1,4- thioxane and 1,4-dithiane, as these compounds do not ionize during ESI-MS. Diols, formed following hydrolysis of mustard and longer-chain sulfur vesicants, may be analyzed using both methods with LC-ESI-MS providing improved chromatographic peak shape. Aqueous samples and extracts would, typically, be analyzed by LC-ESI-MS, since these analyses may be conducted directly without the need for additional sample handling and/or derivatization associated with GC-MS determinations. Organophosphorus compounds, including chemical warfare agents, related compounds and lower volatility hydrolysis products may all be determined during a single LC-ESI- MS analysis. Derivatization of chemical warfare agent hydrolysis products and other compounds with hydroxyl substitution would be required prior to GC-MS analysis, giving LC-ESI-MS a definite advantage over GC-MS for the analysis of samples containing chemical warfare agents and/or their hydrolysis products.     

高效液相色谱-荧光检测法测定环境样品中的过氧化物

对高效液相色谱-荧光检测法测定过氧化氢和有机过氧化物的方法进行了改进,从而提高了方法的检测灵敏度。以氯化血红素(hemin)作催化剂进行柱后衍生反应,过氧化物将对羟基苯乙酸氧化生成能吸收荧光的二聚物,然后用荧光检测器检测。实验确定了最佳反应管温度和荧光检测波长。应用该法测定了大气和雨水样品中过氧化物的浓度。     

Analysis of triacetone triperoxide by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry by electron and chemical ionization

The explosive triacetone triperoxide (TATP) has been analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and sub-nanogram detection limits are reported by ammonia positive ion chemical ionization (PICI), electron ionization (EI) and methane negative ion chemical ionization (NICI). Analysis by methane PICI and ammonia NICI gave detection limits in the low nanogram range. Analyses were carried out on (linear) quadrupole and ion trap instruments. Analysis of TATP by PICI using ammonia reagent gas is the preferred analytical method, producing low limits of detection as well as an abundant (greater than 60% of base peak) diagnostic adduct ion at m/z 240 corresponding to [TATP + NH4]+. Isolation of the [TATP + NH4]+ ion with subsequent collision-induced dissociation (CID) produces extremely low abundance product ions at m/z values greater than 60, and the m/z 223 ion corresponding to [TATP + H]+ was not observed. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations at the B88LYP/DVZP level indicate that dissociation of the complex to form NH4+ and TATP occurs at energies lower than peroxide bond dissociation, while protonation of TATP leads to cleavage of the ring structure. These results provide a method for pico-gram detection levels of TATP using commercial instrumentation commonly available in forensic laboratories. As a point of comparison, a detection limit of 15 ng was obtained by flame ionization detection.     

Determination of Organic Peroxides by High Performance Liquid Chroma-Tography with Electrochemical Detection

Abstract

The application of electrochemical detection to the high performance liquid chromatographic determination of organic peroxides has been studied. The use of a buffered mobile phase was found to be critical to the successful analysis of samples containing hydroperoxides. Using amperometric detection, mixtures of peroxide containing compounds were readily determined. The sensitivity of the amperometric detector was in the one nanogram range for both benzoyl peroxide and cumene hydroperoxide. Polar-ographic detection was found to be a highly reproducible method for the analysis of samples containing peroxides as components of mixtures in the range of 5-2000 ng. The peroxide containing compounds determined in this manner were t-butyl hydroperoxide, cumene hydroperoxide, and 13-hydroperoxy-9(Z)-11(E)-octadecadien-oic acid. The polarographic detection system was used to obtain observed half-wave potentials for the peroxides under different chromatographic conditions. These observations correlated closely with literature results on the polarography of these compounds.     

Identification of polyimide materials using quantitative CE with UV and QTOF‐MS detection

Polyimides (PIs) are a group of widely used synthetic materials that service a variety of different purposes including microelectronics, insulating films and aerospace applications. Depending on the requirements (defined by the particular final product), the actual composition of PIs may show substantial chemical variation. To study this variation in chemical structure, CE‐MS can be employed for the determination of PI composition following chemical degradation of the polymer sample. PI is chemically decomposed to corresponding aromatic diamine and carboxylic acid components using an alkali fusion reaction. Solid polymer samples are fused in a potassium hydroxide melt yielding reaction products that are diluted in acid and can be immediately analysed by CE coupled to a Q/TOF‐MS with quantification performed using conventional UV detection. This approach involves a simple and rapid sample preparation yielding both qualitative and quantitative information regarding the chemical composition of the polymer. Application of the CE‐MS approach is shown for a range of commercially available PI and poly(amide–imide) materials and the results are used to infer the respective chemical compositions.     

Electrochemical detection of triacetone triperoxide employing the electrocatalytic reaction of iron(II/III)-ethylenediaminetetraacetate and hydrogen peroxide

An electrochemical method for the detection of triacetone triperoxide (TATP) is proposed and examined. In this method, TATP solutions were treated with 1.08 M HCl for 10 min releasing H₂O₂ and/or hydroperoxides. Subsequently, these peroxides undergo an electrocatalytic reduction through the Fe^II/IIIethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) complex at a glassy carbon electrode. Cyclic voltammetric results indicate that no redox reaction was observed between Fe^IIEDTA and TATP. Acid treated TATP yielded voltammograms indicative of electrocatalysis of ROOH/HOOH reduction via Fe^II/IIIEDTA redox cycling. Chronoamperometric results yielded a detection limit of 0.89 μM for TATP and a sensitivity of 0.025 mA mM⁻¹. The influence of pH and O₂ interference on the analytical signal is briefly discussed.     

Organic peroxide production in the Cl2-ethane-air photoreaction system

HPLC along with FT-IR technique was used to study the formation of organic peroxides in the Cl₂-ethane-air photoreaction system. Ethyl hydroperoxide (CH₃CH₂₁OOH, EHP) and peroxyacetic acid ( CH₃C(O)OOH, PAA) were conformed to be the peroxide product in the reaction system. In addition, methyl hydroperoxide (CH₃OOH, hydroxymethyl hydroperoxide (HOCH₂OOH, HMHP) and two unidentified organic peroxides were detected for the first time. EHP and were the dominant peroxide products. The identification of HMHP showed that Criegee biradical CH₂OO may be formed as an intermediate in the oxidation of ethane. Simulation results showed that photooxidation of ethane may make substantial contribution to source of organic peroxides in the atmosphere.     

Organic peroxide production in the Cl2-ethane-air photoreaction system

HPLC along with FT-IR technique was used to study the formation of organic peroxides in the Cl₂-ethane-air photoreaction system. Ethyl hydroperoxide (CH₃CH₂₁OOH, EHP) and peroxyacetic acid ( CH₃C(O)OOH, PAA) were conformed to be the peroxide product in the reaction system. In addition, methyl hydroperoxide (CH₃OOH, hydroxymethyl hydroperoxide (HOCH₂OOH, HMHP) and two unidentified organic peroxides were detected for the first time. EHP and were the dominant peroxide products. The identification of HMHP showed that Criegee biradical CH₂OO may be formed as an intermediate in the oxidation of ethane. Simulation results showed that photooxidation of ethane may make substantial contribution to source of organic peroxides in the atmosphere.     

Impact of α-, γ-, and δ-tocopherol on the radiation induced oxidation of rapeseed oil triacylglycerols

Gamma-irradiation (doses: 2, 4, 7, and 10 kGy) was used as oxidation tool to study the antioxidant effects of α-, γ-, and δ-tocopherol (enrichments 500–5000 ppm) in purified rapeseed oil triacylglycerols (RSOTG). Fatty acid composition, tocopherol degradation, primary (conjugated dienes (CD) and peroxide value (POV)) and secondary (p-anisidine value) oxidation products were chosen as test parameters. Fatty acid composition did not change. While secondary oxidation products could not be found in the irradiated samples, the POVs and CDs showed a significant, dose-dependent increase. α-Tocopherol did not inhibit the formation of peroxides, whereas γ- and δ-tocopherol reduced the POVs by more than 30%. No uniform effect of the different tocopherol concentrations at the particular doses could be established. The influence of the individual tocopherols on the CD formation was not pronounced. The degradation of the tocopherols decreased with increasing concentration. None of the tocopherols showed a prooxidant effect.     

A field test for the detection of peroxide-based explosives

A rapid and simple field test for the detection of triacetone-triperoxide (TATP) and hexamethylenetriperoxidediamine (HMTD), two explosives which find significant illegal use, has been developed. Unknown samples are first treated with a catalase solution to remove hydrogen peroxide traces, in order to provide selectivity towards peroxide-based bleaching agents which are contained in commercial laundry detergents. Subsequently, the peroxide-based explosives are decomposed via UV irradiation, thus yielding hydrogen peroxide, which is determined by the horseradish peroxidase (POD) catalysed formation of the green radical cation of 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulfonate (ABTS). The limits of detection for this method are 8 x 10(-6) mol dm(-3) for TATP and 8 x 10(-7) mol dm(-3) for HMTD, respectively. As an option, p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (pHPAA) may be used as peroxidase substrate, resulting in lower limits of detection (8 x 10(-7) mol dm(-3) for TATP and HMTD). The complete method uses a mobile setup to be applied under field conditions.     

Effects of various fire-extinguishing reagents for thermal hazard of triacetone triperoxide (TATP) by DSC/TG

Acetone, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) are easily to produce triacetone triperoxide (TATP), which is an organic peroxide and a hazardous material. The aim of this study was to analyze the thermal hazard of various fire-extinguishing reagents mixed with TATP. Various functions of fire-extinguishing reagents may have different extent of reactions with TATP. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analyzer (TG) were used to detect the thermal hazard and to evaluate the effect of fire-extinguishing reagents mixed with TATP under fire condition. TATP decomposed rapidly and final decomposition was calculated before 200 °C. Therefore, heat of decomposition (ΔH _d) of TATP was evaluated to be 2,500 J g^?1 by DSC under 2 °C min^?1 of heating rate. H₂O₂, acetone, and H₂SO₄ should not be mixed in a wastewater drum. TATP decomposed at 50 °C by DSC using O₂ of reaction gas that is an exothermic reaction and can decompose a large amount of heat. Therefore, TATP was applied to assess thermal pyrolysis by DSC employing N₂ of reaction gas that can analyze an endothermic reaction. Mass loss percentage of TATP was evaluated to be 100 % when the ambient temperature exceeds 110 °C by TG using O₂ or N₂ of reaction gas.