In Vitro and In Vivo Studies of Triacetone Triperoxide (TATP) Metabolism in Humans

Purpose Triacetone triperoxide (TATP) is a volatile but powerful explosive that appeals to terrorists due to its ease of synthesis from household items. For this reason, bomb squad, canine (K9) units, and scientists must work with this material to mitigate this threat. However, no information on the metabolism of TATP is available. Methods In vitro experiments using human liver microsomes and recombinant enzymes were performed on TATP and TATP-OH for metabolite identification and enzyme phenotyping. Enzyme kinetics for TATP hydroxylation were also investigated. Urine from laboratory personnel collected before and after working with TATP was analyzed for TATP and its metabolites. Results While experiments with flavin monooxygenases were inconclusive, those with recombinant cytochrome P450s (CYPs) strongly suggested that CYP2B6 was the principle enzyme responsible for TATP hydroxylation. TATP-O-glucuronide was also identified and incubations with recombinant uridine diphosphoglucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) indicated that UGT2B7 catalyzes this reaction. Michaelis–Menten kinetics were determined for TATP hydroxylation, with Km = 1.4 µM and Vmax = 8.7 nmol/min/nmol CYP2B6. TATP-O-glucuronide was present in the urine of all three volunteers after being exposed to TATP vapors showing good in vivo correlation to in vitro data. TATP and TATP-OH were not observed. Conclusions Since scientists working to characterize and detect TATP to prevent terrorist attacks are constantly exposed to this volatile compound, attention should be paid to its metabolism. This paper is the first to elucidate some exposure, metabolism and excretion of TATP in humans and to identify a marker of TATP exposure, TATP-O-glucuronide in urine

Chemical Attribution of the Homemade Explosive ETN - Part II: Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry Analysis of ETN and Its Precursors

In this follow-up study the collaboration between two research groups from the USA and the Netherlands was continued to expand the framework of chemical attribution for the homemade explosive erythritol tetranitrate (ETN). Isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) analysis was performed to predict possible links between ETN samples and its precursors. Carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen and oxygen isotope ratios were determined for a wide variety of precursor sources and for ETN samples that were prepared with selected precursors. The stability of isotope ratios of ETN has been demonstrated for melt-cast samples and two-year old samples, which enables sample comparison of ETN in forensic casework independent of age and appearance. Erythritol and nitric acid (or nitrate salt) are the exclusive donor of carbon and nitrogen atoms in ETN, respectively, and robust linear relationships between precursor and the end-product were observed for these isotopes. This allowed for defining isotopic enrichment ranges for carbon and nitrogen that support the hypothesis that a given erythritol or nitrate precursor was used to synthesize a specific ETN batch. The hydrogen and oxygen atoms in ETN do not originate from one exclusive donor material, making linkage prediction more difficult. However, the large negative enrichments observed for both isotopes do provide powerful information to exclude suspected precursor materials as donor of ETN. Additionally, combing the isotopic data of all elements results in a higher discrimination power for ETN samples and its precursor materials. Combining the findings of our previously reported LC–MS analysis of ETN with this IRMS study is expected to increase the robustness of the forensic comparison even further. The partially nitrated impurities can provide insight on the synthesis conditions while the isotope data contain information on the raw materials used for the production of ETN

Nitrosyl hydrides and cations of Group VI transition metals

The novel bimetallic hydrides [(n⁵-C₅H₅)W(N0)IH]₂ and [(n⁵-C₅H₅)W(N0)H₂]₂ can be prepared sequentially by the metathesis of [(n⁵-C₅H₅)W(N0)IH₂]₂ with Na[H₂Al(0CH₂CH₂0CH₃)₂]. Analyses of the ¹H NMR spectra of C[(n⁵-C₅H₅)W(N0)IH]₂ and [(n⁵-C₅H₅)W(N0)IH₂]₂ show the former contains hydride ligands bound to tungsten in a terminal fashion, while the latter possesses two terminal and two bridging hydrides. Addition of a Lewis base to [(n⁵-C₅H₅)W(N0)IH]₂ results in the formation of hydride species (n⁵-C₅H₅)W(N0)IHL (L = P(0Ph)₃, P(0Me)₃, PPh₃); in like manner, the dimer [(n⁵-C₅H₅)W(N0)IH₂]₂ is cleaved by triphenylphosphite to form the monomer cis or trans [(n⁵-C₅H₅)W(N0)IH₂[P(0Ph)₃]. A comparison is made of the reactivity of the tungsten-hydrogen link in the nitrosyl hydrides (n⁵-C₅H₅)- W(N0)IH[P(0Ph)₃], (n⁵-C₅H₅)W(N0)₂H, and (n⁵-C₅H₅)W(N0)IH₂[P(0Ph)₃]. The Mo(N0)₂²⁺ unit is obtained as the tetrakis-solvate via chloride abstraction from Mo(N0)₂Cl₂ by AgBF₄ or nitrosylation of Mo(C0)₆ by NOPF₆ in coordinating solvents such as nitromethane, acetonitrile, or tetrahydro-furan. The unsolvated complex [Mo(N0)₂(PF₆)₂][aub=n] is produced if the latter reaction is performed in dichloromethane; however, it readily converts to [Mo(N0)₂S₄](PF₆)₂ upon exposure to coordinating solvents (S). Hard Lewis bases (L = CH₃CN , 0PPh₃ or L₂ = 2 ,2-bipyridine replace the solvent molecules in [Mo(N0)₂S₄]X₂ (X = BF₄⁻, PF₆⁻) forming complexes [Mo(N0)₂L₄]²⁺ or [Mo(N0)₂L₂S₂]²⁺ depending upon the solvent employed. Reagents capable of being oxidized appear to reduce the dinitrosyl dication without permanent coordination to the molybdenum centre. Reduction of [Mo(NO)₂S₄](PF₆)₂ or [Mo(N0)₂(PF₆)₂][sub=b] is effected by sodium amalgam (one equivalent); addition of a ligand L₂ (L₂ = 2,2-bipyridyl, 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,1O-phenanthroline) to the reaction mixture permits the isolation of [M(NO)₂L₂]₂(PF₆)₂. Addition of excess ligand results in the formation of non-nitrosyl containing species [Mp(L₂)₃]PF₆ (L = 0PPh₃ or L₂ = 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1 ,10-phenanthro- line). Decomposition of the nitrosyl species results from attempts to reduce [Mo(NO)₂S₄]²⁺ by two electrons. New complexes are identified by the aid of IR and ¹H, ¹⁹F, or ³¹P NMR spectroscopy and conductance measurements. Attempts to prepare thionitrosyl analogues of [Mo(N0)₂L₄]²⁺ have met with limited success; the only wel1-characterized thionitrosyls isolated in this study are the known (n⁵-C₅H₅)Cr(C0)₂NS and the new [(n⁵-C₅H₅)Mo-(N0)(NS)PPh₃]BF₄. Also discussed is the interaction of NOPF₆ with solvents. NOPF₆ has been found to react slowly with acetonitrile, a common solvent for nitro-sonium salts.Science, Faculty ofChemistry, Department ofGraduat

Peroxide explosives

The sensitivity and/or stability of an energetic materials is often assessed by its weakest bond - its trigger linkage (Table 1). This is generally the C-NO2 in nitrated explosives. In peroxides it is the -O-O- bond. © 2006 Springer

Peroxide explosives

The sensitivity and/or stability of an energetic materials is often assessed by its weakest bond-its trigger linkage (Table 1). This is generally the C-NO2 in nitrated explosives. In peroxides it is the -O-O- bond. © 2006 Springer

Axial substitution and electron transfer reactions of ferriporphyrins

Includes bibliographical references (pages 53-56)Section I: Spectrophotometric titrations were used to determine the composite equilibrium quotient 4 x 104 M-2 in neutral and slightly basic media for axial histidine binding to the water soluble ferriporphyrin, ??, ??, ??, ?? -tetra(4-N-methylpyridyl) porphineiron(III). The coordination number of the axial site of hemin iron was determined to be 2.0, indicating that the resulting major complexes are six-coordinate bis(histidine) hemichromes. The magnetic moment in solution (Evans's method) was found to be 2 .18 ?? 0.04 B. M. at. 34 ??C. The kinetics of the ascorbic acid reduction of the bis(histidine) ferriporphyrin has been studied by stopped-f1ow spectrophotometry. At 25.0??C, ?? = 0.10(NaCl) and pH ranging from 6.6 to 8.8, the reduction of the bis(histidine) ferriporphyrin follows a pseudo-first-order rate expression in excess ascorbic acid. (See more in text.

Fire ecology range management on the fate & transport of explosives on testing & training ranges

The fire ecology range management on the fate & transport of explosives on testing & training ranges was described. The degree to which burning reduces surface and near-surface explosive residue is determined. The depth to which burning provides effective decomposition of energetic residuals was also determined. The relationship between energetic residue & vegetation density was examined. The thermal decomposition of explosives was also discussed. Eglin soil dried 10 days at room temperature, sieved and sealed in PE bag and TNT was added as acetone soln and tumbled 1 hr, 0°C air dried 1 h, tumbled 24h at 0°C. TNT decomposition Arrhenius plots was also shown

Quantification and Aging of the Post-Blast Residue of TNT Landmines

Post-blast residues are potential interferents to chemical detection of landmines. To assess the potential problem related to 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), its post-blast residue was identified and quantified. In the first part of this study laboratory-scale samples of TNT (2 g) were detonated in a small-scale explosivity device (SSED) to evaluate the explosive power and collect post-blast residue for chemical analysis. Initiator size was large relative to the TNT charge; thus, issues arose regarding choice of initiator, residue from the initiator, and afterburning of TNT. The second part of this study detonated 75 to 150 g of military-grade TNT (typical of antipersonnel mines) in 55-gal barrels containing various witness materials (metal plates, sand, barrel walls, the atmosphere). The witness materials were analyzed for explosive residue. In a third set of tests, 75-g samples of TNT were detonated over soil (from Fort Leonard Wood or Sandia National Laboratory) in an indoor firing chamber (100 by 4.6 by 2.7 m high). Targeted in these studies were TNT and four explosive-related compounds (ERC): 2,4-dintrotoluene (DNT), 1,3-dinitrobenzene (DNB), 2- and 4-aminodinitrotoluene (2-ADNT and 4-ADNT). The latter two are microbial degradation products of TNT. Post-blast residue was allowed to age in the soils as a function of moisture contents (5 and 10%) in order to quantify the rate of degradation of the principal residues (TNT, DNT, and DNB) and formation of the TNT microbial degradation products (2-ADNT and 4-ADNT). The major distinction between landmine leakage and post-blast residue was not the identity of the species but relative ratios of amounts. In landmine leakage the DNT/TNT ratio was usually greater than 1. In post-blast residue it was on the order of 1 to 1/100th of a percent, and the total amount of pre-blast residue (landmine leakage) was a factor of 1/100 to 1/1000 less than post-blast. In addition, landmine leakage resulted in low DNT/ADNT ratios, usually less than 1, whereas pre-blast residues started with ratios above 20. Because with time DNT decreased and ADNT increased, over a month the ratio decreased by a factor of 2. The rate of TNT degradation in soil observed in this study was much slower than that reported when initial concentrations of TNT were lower. Degradation rates yielded half-lives of 40 and 100 days for 2,4-DNT and TNT, respectively