Issue 3, 2017

In silico kinetics of alkaline hydrolysis of 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazinane (RDX): M06-2X investigation

Abstract

Alkaline hydrolysis of RDX (hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine), as one of the most promising methods for nitrocompound remediation, was investigated computationally at the PCM(Pauling)/M06-2X/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory. Computational simulation shows that RDX hydrolysis is a highly exothermic multistep process involving initial deprotonation and nitrite elimination, cycle cleavage, further transformation of cycle-opened intermediates to end products caused by a series of C–N bond ruptures, hydroxide attachments, and proton transfers. Computationally predicted products of RDX hydrolysis such as nitrite, nitrous oxide, formaldehyde, formate, and ammonia correspond to experimentally observed ones. Accounting of specific hydration of hydroxide is critical to create an accurate kinetic model for alkaline hydrolysis. Simulated kinetics of the hydrolysis are in good agreement with available experimental data. A period of one month is necessary for 99% RDX decomposition at pH 10. Computations predict significant increases of the reaction rate of hydrolysis at pH 11, pH 12, and pH 13.

Graphical abstract: In silico kinetics of alkaline hydrolysis of 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazinane (RDX): M06-2X investigation

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
14 oct. 2016
Accepted
20 déc. 2016
First published
21 déc. 2016

Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2017,19, 388-394

In silico kinetics of alkaline hydrolysis of 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazinane (RDX): M06-2X investigation

L. K. Sviatenko, L. Gorb, D. Leszczynska, S. I. Okovytyy, M. K. Shukla and J. Leszczynski, Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2017, 19, 388 DOI: 10.1039/C6EM00565A

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