Spectrophotometric determination of tetrazene in primers and primer mixes by use of resorcinol

A spectrophotometric method is proposed for the determination of tetrazene (tetracene) in primers and primer mixes that involves treatment of the tetrazene with resorcinol solution and measurement of the intensity of the yellow colour of the diazo-dye produced. In the application of the method, lead styphnate and barium nitrate are first removed by extraction with ammonium acetate solution and then nitrocellulose and PETN are removed by extraction with acetone. The insoluble matter containing the tetrazene is boiled with resorcinol reagent, the solution filtered, and the absorbance measured at 400 nm. Conditions for optimum colour development are studied and the nature of the reaction is considered.