US EPA

1485426 

Journal Article 

The thermal decomposition of RDX at temperatures below the melting point. IV. Catalysis of the decomposition by formaldehyde 

Batten, J 

1971 

Yes 

Australian Journal of Chemistry
ISSN: 0004-9425
EISSN: 1445-0038 

NIOSH/00156562 

24 

10 

2025 

10.1071/CH9712025 

WOS:A1971K533700006 

http://www.publish.csiro.au/?paper=CH9712025
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The effect of formaldehyde (50000) on the decomposition of RDX (121824) at temperatures below the melting point was investigated in-vitro. The hypothesis was suggested that, if catalysis by formaldehyde exists, then the activation energy of the decomposition in the presence of added formaldehyde should be less than that obtained in the presence of nitrogen (7727379). In each experiment, the weight of dry paraformaldehyde (30525894) was adjusted so that the pressure of formaldehyde at the reaction temperature was approximately constant at about 130 millimeters mercury. The temperature range studied was 170 to 197 degrees-C. At constant temperature, the sample, in the presence of formaldehyde, underwent the liquefaction process at a lower percentage of decomposition than was observed for the decomposition in the presence of nitrogen. A significant increase was observed in the positive catalytic effect of the formaldehyde, associated with decreasing reaction temperature. The kinetics of the decomposition were not altered by formaldehyde. The activation energy with the sample spread in the presence of added formaldehyde was about 44 kilocalories per mole at all stages of the decomposition to the end of the maximum rate. There was a marked increase in the accelerating effect of formaldehyde as the reaction temperatures decreased. The author concludes that previous values of activation energy are less than the energy of the weakest bond in RDX because of catalysis of the reaction by the decomposition product formaldehyde. 

DCN-144074; Chemical analysis; Analytical models; Temperature effects; Laboratory techniques; Temperature measurement; Analytical instruments; Analytical methods; Laboratory equipment; Electronic equipment