Reduction of nitro-groups in explosive compounds

CHED 853

Jennifer Lawson, Starr N. Horne, and John C. DiCesare. Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Tulsa, 600 South College Ave, Tulsa, OK 74104
Most commonly used explosive devises use compounds containing the nitro-group. New environmental laws are making it more difficult to detonate explosive devises as a means of their destruction. A convenient room temperature method of reducing the nitro-group to an amine would be beneficial. In order to perform this reduction, a hydrogen source and a catalyst are required. This paper will describe the use of combinatorial techniques to optimize the reduction of nitrotoluene, a common TNT simulant.