Deuterium Isotope Effects during RDX Combustion: Mechanistic burn rate‐controlling step determination

摘要

AbstractHigh pressure (500 psig/3.55 MPa and 1000 psigl6.99 MPa) burn rate comparisons from the combustion of solid RDX (hexahydro‐ 1.3,.5‐trinitro‐1,3,5‐triazine) and perdeuterio‐labeled RDX‐dh cylindrical pressed pellets reveals a large kinetic deuterium isotope cffect (KDIE). This experimental KDIE confirms that chemical reaction kinetics are a significant mechanistic factor in controlling the inherent RDX burn rate and further shows the six‐membered RDX hcterocycle's rate‐controlling mechanistic step during com‐ bustion is the same as that previously reported for its larger eight‐membered HMX (octahydro‐l.3,5,7‐tetranitro‐l.3.5,7 tetrazocine) homologuc. As with HMX. This experimental KDTE approach also demonstrates a direct mechanistic relationship between RDX's higher order cornbustion regime and its ambient pressure thermochemi