Solution and Solid Trinitrotoluene (TNT) Photochemistry: Persistence of TNT-like Ultraviolet (UV) Resonance Raman Bands

We examined the 229 nm deep-ultraviolet resonance Raman (DUVRR) spectra of solution and solid-state trinitrotoluene (TNT) and its solution and solid-state photochemistry. Although TNT photodegrades with a solution quantum yield of φ ∼ 0.015, the initial photoproducts show DUVRR spectra extraordinarily similar to pure TNT, due to the similar photoproduct enhancement of the –NO2 stretching vibrations. This results in TNT-like DUVRR spectra even after complete TNT photolysis. These ultraviolet resonance Raman spectral bands enable DUVRR of trace as well as DUVRR standoff TNT detection. We determined the structure of various initial TNT photoproducts by using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry. Similar TNT DUVRR spectra and photoproducts are observed in the solution and solid states.