Preparation and Study of Charge Transfer Complexes of N.N.N.N-Tetra-Methyl-Para-Phenylene-Diamine (TMPD) with NG, Tetryl, RDX and HMX

Abstract

Charge transfer complexes of NG tetryl, RDX and HMX as electron acceptors with tetra-methyl-para-phenylene-diamine (TMPD) as electron donor were prepared and studied. When the solution of nitro-explosives in an inert solvent were added to a solution of TMPD, an intense violet colour was produced. This colour is due to the formation of TMPD cation known as Wurster radical formed from TMPD through the loss of an electron. It has been shown that one mole of each of NG, tetryl, RDX and HMX is needed to form oneTMPD cation. These complexes have also been studied by ultra-violet and infrared spectroscopy.