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.     

Development of an LC/MS method for the trace analysis of triacetone triperoxide (TATP)

The detection and quantification of triacetone triperoxide (TATP) using LC/MS is investigated. GC/MS analysis of TATP is hindered by stationary phase activation in very short periods of time. Due to the lower temperatures used in LC. this problem is not encountered. This study presents a method that is suitable for the detection of TATP at levels as low as 100 pg microl(-1) (10 ng per 100 microl). Initial findings are also reported for the investigation of a secondary chromatographic peak, which is thought to be caused by separation of two conformers. This study concludes that LC/MS is a suitable technique for the analysis of trace levels of TATP.     

TATP的质子转移反应的质谱研究

利用密度泛函理论(DFT), 在B3LYP/cc-pVDZ水平上, 对三过氧化三丙酮(Triacetone triperoxide, TATP)及其质子化离子[TATP+H]+进行了构型优化和质子亲和势(Proton Affinity, PA)计算, 研究结果表明, PA(TATP)=866.73 kJ/mol大于PA(H2O)=691.0 kJ/mol, TATP与H3O+可发生质子转移反应. 在自行研制的质子转移反应质谱(Proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry, PTR-MS) 装置上, 研究了TATP与H3O+反应生成的特征离子. 当漂移管中E/N=1.4×10-15 V·cm2时, 在荷质比m/z=91, 75, 74, 59, 43等处观察到了产物离子. 降低E/N至0.5×10-15 V·cm2后, 在m/z=223处观察到了质子化产物离子([TATP+H]+), 验证了计算结果; 结合[TATP+H]+的构型, 分析了TATP质子转移反应产物离子可能的归属及其形成过程. 结合PTR-MS漂移管内E/N的改变引起m/z=223, 91, 43等离子的变化特征, 可实现TATP的准确识别和快速定量检测, 检测下限达到5.0×10-10 mol/L(±50%).     

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.     

Thermal-spectroscopic characterization of acetone peroxide and acetone peroxide mixtures with nitrocompounds

Triacetone triperoxide (TATP), also known as acetone peroxide, is a powerful homemade energetic compound, highly unstable and not detectable by traditional detection technologies. The calorimetric profiles of TATP mixtures with TNT, ammonium nitrate, and nitroguanidine were evaluated and compared to pure materials. Raman spectroscopy was used to identify possible interactions between mixture components that may arise on contact. Typical results show a shift of the TATP decomposition temperature to higher temperatures, as well as decomposition of the nitrocompound initiated by TATP decomposition. The vibrational spectra were used as spectroscopic signatures for these mixtures, which can be used to understand detection challenges and for the development of desensitization approaches.     

1,1-Bis-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1′-pyrenyl methyl (bmpm): a new fluorescent 5′ protecting group for the purification of unmodified and modified oligonucleotides

By replacing the phenyl by a pyrenyl in the dimethoxytrityl (DMTr) group commonly used for 5′-protection in oligonucleotide synthesis, we have obtained a fluorescent acid-labile protecting group which exhibits similar chemical properties to those of DMTr. Here we demonstrate the usefulness of the new protecting group in the purification of both charged and neutral DNA fragments.     

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.     

Decomposition of triacetone triperoxide is an entropic explosion

Both X-ray crystallography and electronic structure calculations using the cc-pVDZ basis set at the DFT B3LYP level were employed to study the explosive properties of triacetone triperoxide (TATP) and diacetone diperoxide (DADP). The thermal decomposition pathway of TATP was investigated by a series of calculations that identified transition states, intermediates, and the final products. Counterintuitively, these calculations predict that the explosion of TATP is not a thermochemically highly favored event. It rather involves entropy burst, which is the result of formation of one ozone and three acetone molecules from every molecule of TATP in the solid state.     

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.     

Fluorescence studies on volume phase transition in poly(acrylamide) and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) gels

The changes in microenvironments during the volume phase transition of poly(acrylamide) and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) gels induced by pH change or the change in solvent composition were studied by using dansyl or pyrenyl fluorescent probes.     

Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis of triacetone triperoxide (TATP) degradation products

Interest in the analysis and detection of triacetone triperoxide (TATP) and other organic peroxides has increased in recent years. Also of interest is the degradation and decomposition of the peroxides, not only to gain more detailed chemical information from organic peroxide samples, but also to investigate possible new procedures or mechanisms for chemical neutralisation. This report investigates the chemical degradation products of TATP after it has been treated with different acids within a sealed system over a period of 14 days. The samples were collected and analysed by solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and direct liquid injection gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The results of the experiments indicate that the rate of chemical degradation of TATP and the products formed are dependent on the type of acid. The observed differences enables the type of acid used in the degradation process to be determined, provide complementary information to identify the presence of TATP, and possibly indicate new pathways that may be used to chemically neutralise TATP.     

3,3,6,6,9,9‐Hexaethyl‐1,2,4,5,7,8‐hexaoxacyclononane at 296 K

The title molecule (diethyl ketone triperoxide, DEKTP), C₁₅H₃₀O₆, is a cyclic triperoxide closely related to triacetone triperoxide (TATP), one of the most unstable explosives known. However, the stability of DEKTP is ca 20–50 times greater than that of TATP. DEKTP crystallizes with two molecules in the asymmetric unit, with virtually identical geometry. The cyclononane core is stabilized in a twisted boat–chair conformation (approximate D₃ symmetry), very close to that previously described for TATP. The explanation for the safe thermal behaviour of DEKTP compared with TATP should thus not be sought in the molecular dimensions, but rather in the thermal decomposition kinetics.     

Role of metal ions in the destruction of TATP: theoretical considerations

The safe decomposition of solid TATP (triacetone triperoxide) explosive is examined theoretically. The route to destruction starts with formation of metal complexes between a metal ion and the TATP molecule. The second step is decomposition of the molecules into stable final products. We examined the structure and stability of both metal ion (including Na(+), Cu(+), Cu(2+), Co(2+), and Zn(2+)) and proton complexes with TATP using quantum chemical calculations at the DFT-PBE0 level of theory. In addition, for each ion complex, we determined the initial steps in the pathway to decomposition together with the associated transition states. We find that the products of decomposition, in particular, acetone, are also stabilized by ion metal complexes. In agreement with experiment, we find the best candidates for metal ion induced decomposition are Cu(2+) and Zn(2+).     

A ratiometric fluorescent sensor for Ag(I) with high selectivity and sensitivity

A bicyclic cycloadduct 1 bearing a pyrenyl moiety has been synthesized and investigated as a ratiometric fluorescent sensor for AgI. In an aqueous ethanol solution of 1, the presence of silver ion induces the formation of a 1:2 metal-ligand complex, which exhibits a strong intensity enhancement of the pyrene excimer emission at the expense of the emission of monomeric pyrene.     

2-Aza-1,3-butadiene derivatives featuring an anthracene or pyrene unit: highly selective colorimetric and fluorescent signaling of Cu2+ cation

[Structure: see text] A new probe based on an anthryl derivative bearing an azadiene side chain selectively senses Cu2+ in acetonitrile through two different channels: the yellow-to-orange color change and a remarkable enhancement of the fluorescence, whereas the pyrenyl analogous behaves as a fluorescent sensor for Cu2+ and Hg2+ in aqueous environment.     

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).     

Fast detection of triacetone triperoxide (TATP) from headspace using planar solid-phase microextraction (PSPME) coupled to an IMS detector

Triacetone triperoxide (TATP) is a high explosive synthesized from easily available reactants making it accessible for illicit uses. In this study, fast detection of TATP is achieved using a novel planar solid-phase microextraction (PSPME) as a preconcentration and sampling device for headspace analysis offering improved sensitivity and reduced sampling time over the conventional fiber-based solid-phase microextraction (SPME) when followed by ion mobility spectrometer (IMS) detection. Quantitation and comparison of the retention capabilities of PSPME as compared to the commercially available SPME were determined using TATP standards and analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry for SPME analysis and a commercial IMS with no instrumental modification for PSPME. Static and dynamic headspace extractions were used and compared for PSPME extractions, in which low milligram quantities of TATP were detected within 30 s of static mode sampling and less than 5 s in the dynamic mode sampling for PSPME–IMS.     

Co(phen)2TATP3+与DNA在旋转金盘金环电极上的相互作用研究

在pH=7.2的Tris缓冲溶液中,利用旋转环盘电极法研究了金电极上Co(phen)₂TATP³⁺与DNA的相互作用,并根据扩散控制和电化学控制下得到的各种参数,对它们作用的模式进行了讨论.发现当一定量的DNA存在时,Co(phen)₂TATP³⁺的扩散系数、还原反应的传递系数和半波电位下的速率常数、还原产物Co(phen)₂TATP²⁺的收集系数和脱出率等都发生了较大幅度的减小.利用Co(bpy)₃³⁺进行比较研究表明,Co(phen)₂TATP³⁺与Co(bpy)₃³⁺在加入DNA后在收集系数和传递系数变化上存在较大的差异.     

A modular strategy for tailoring fluorescent biosensors from ribonucleopeptide complexes

Fluorescent biosensors that facilitate reagentless sensitive detection of small molecules are crucial tools in the areas of therapeutics and diagnostics. However, construction of fluorescent biosensors with desired characteristics, that is, detection wavelengths and concentration ranges for ligand detection, from macromolecular receptors is not a straightforward task. An ATP-binding ribonucleopeptide (RNP) receptor was converted to a fluorescent ATP sensor without chemically modifying the nucleotide in the ATP-binding RNA. The RNA subunit of the ATP-binding RNP and a peptide modified with a pyrenyl group formed a stable fluorescent RNP complex that showed an increase in the fluorescence intensity upon binding to ATP. The strategy to convert the ATP-binding RNP receptor to a fluorescent ATP sensor was applied to generate fluorescent ATP-binding RNP libraries by using a pool of RNA subunits obtained from the in vitro selection of ATP-binding RNPs and a series of fluorophore-modified peptide subunits. Simple screening of the fluorescent RNP library based on the fluorescence emission intensity changes in the absence and presence of the ligand afforded fluorescent ATP or GTP sensors with emission wavelengths varying from 390 to 670 nm. Screening of the fluorescence emission intensity changes in the presence of increasing concentrations of ATP allowed titration analysis of the fluorescent RNP library, which provided ATP sensors responding at wide concentration ranges of ATP. The combinatorial strategy using the modular RNP receptor reported here enables tailoring of a fluorescent sensor for a specific ligand without knowledge of detailed structural information for the macromolecular receptor.     

Density functional theory study of interactions of cyclotrimethylene trinitramine (RDX) and triacetone triperoxide (TATP) with metal–organic framework (IRMOF-1(Be))

We performed a density functional study of the interactions of 1,3,5-trinitro-s-triazine (RDX) and triacetone triperoxide (TATP) with small fragments of isoreticular crystalline metal?Corganic frameworks having beryllium as connector metal center (IRMOF-1(Be)). The influence of different metal centers of the connector was evaluated. For particular IRMOF-1 clusters, used small IRMOF-1(Zn) fragments are reported to have higher binding affinity than such components of IRMOF-1(Be), and their interactions with TATP are favored compared with the RDX systems. The binding efficiency is also influenced by the presence of linkers. One benzene linker connected with a Be?CO?CC cluster was found to have the lowest binding energy for the target molecules when compared with larger fragments containing more linkers. Binding with IRMOF-1 fragments leads to polarization of RDX and TATP. The said effect is found to be larger for the TATP systems.