DEGRADATION OF CYCLIC NITRAMINES

摘要

The invention relates to a process for degradation of nitramines. The explosives RDX, HMX, CL20 and tetryl are exemplary nitramines that may be degraded according to the invention. These nitramines may be attacked chemically, biochemically or biologically. The invention may be used to degrade such explosive compounds that may be present in soil. Cyclic nitramines may be attacked at bonds so as to cause ring cleavage, which in the presence of water can lead to hydrolytic decomposition and mineralization. To prevent the decomposition reaction from undergoing sequential reduction to the corresponding nitroso derivative (nitrosation being reduction of -NO2 to -NO), two routes may be taken: (a) attack on an -N-NO2 bond (denitration) followed by hydration or (b) attack on a CH2 bond (alpha-hydroxylation) to form unstable carbinol prior to cleavage and decomposition. The invention may be used to remediate soil and water contaminated with these explosives.