Energetic Transient Species Formed via Electronic Excitation of S-TNB and S-TNT

In the present paper data are presented on the spectroscopy and chemical reactivity of ionic species, electronically excited states and free radicals of nitro aromatics formed via electronic excitation of the parent molecules. Furthermore, it was discovered in the present work, that formation of the TNT anion, (C6H2) (NO2)3 CH2, (B-), in molten TNT by additives such as (CH3)4NB3H8, known as QMB3, NAOH, and NaI lead to deflagration of TNT. These additives sensitized TNT to impact and differential scanning calorimetry yielded data which are consistent with the sensitization of TNT by these additives.