Method and kit for detecting explosives
First Claim
1. A method for detecting explosives selected from nitroaromatics, organic nitrates, nitramines, inorganic nitrates, chlorates and bromates, which method comprises providing a sample from a suspect source, and subjecting said sample to the steps of:
- contacting the sample with a first reagent, which is an alkaline solution of a diazotizable aminoaromatic azo-dye precursor, whereby the presence of a nitroaromatic explosive affords a distinct coloration; and
in the absence of such coloration,contacting the sample, which is already in contact with said first reagent, with a second reagent containing a nitrate to nitrite ion reducing agent and a diazo-coupler which gives a colored product on reaction with a diazonium compound formed by reaction of the diazotizable aminoaromatic azo-dye precursor with nitrite ion, said second reagent being sufficiently strongly acidic in that it neutralizes and makes acidic a mixture thereof with an equal volume of said first reagent in contact with said sample, whereby the presence of an organic nitrate or nitramine explosive affords a distinct coloration; and
in the absence of such coloration,contacting the sample, which is already in contact with said first and second reagents, with zinc powder suspended in a liquid, whereby the presence of inorganic nitrate affords a distinct coloration; and
in the absence of a distinct coloration in all of the preceding steps, providing a second sample from said source, and;
contacting said second sample with an aniline salt in a homogeneous strongly acidic solution including at least one water-miscible organic solvent, whereby the presence of chlorate or bromate affords a distinct coloration.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In a color reaction method for detecting particular classes of explosives, a sample from a suspect source is subjected serially to the indicated reagents in the liquid phase, the reagents after the first being applied only if no color reaction has been obtained in the preceding test. The second and third reagents only are applied in presence of the preceding reagent(s). The first reagent is an alkaline solution of a diazotizable aminoaromatic azo-dye precursor, which detects nitroaromatic explosives. The second reagent is a strongly acidic reagent containing a nitrate to nitrite ion reducing agent and a diazo-coupler, which detects organic nitrates and nitramines. The third reagent is zinc powder suspended in a liquid, which detects inorganic nitrates. The fourth reagent is an aniline salt in a homogeneous strongly acidic solution including a water-miscible organic solvent, which detects chlorates and bromates. The invention includes also a test kit for use in the method.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. A method for detecting explosives selected from nitroaromatics, organic nitrates, nitramines, inorganic nitrates, chlorates and bromates, which method comprises providing a sample from a suspect source, and subjecting said sample to the steps of:
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contacting the sample with a first reagent, which is an alkaline solution of a diazotizable aminoaromatic azo-dye precursor, whereby the presence of a nitroaromatic explosive affords a distinct coloration; and
in the absence of such coloration,contacting the sample, which is already in contact with said first reagent, with a second reagent containing a nitrate to nitrite ion reducing agent and a diazo-coupler which gives a colored product on reaction with a diazonium compound formed by reaction of the diazotizable aminoaromatic azo-dye precursor with nitrite ion, said second reagent being sufficiently strongly acidic in that it neutralizes and makes acidic a mixture thereof with an equal volume of said first reagent in contact with said sample, whereby the presence of an organic nitrate or nitramine explosive affords a distinct coloration; and
in the absence of such coloration,contacting the sample, which is already in contact with said first and second reagents, with zinc powder suspended in a liquid, whereby the presence of inorganic nitrate affords a distinct coloration; and
in the absence of a distinct coloration in all of the preceding steps, providing a second sample from said source, and;contacting said second sample with an aniline salt in a homogeneous strongly acidic solution including at least one water-miscible organic solvent, whereby the presence of chlorate or bromate affords a distinct coloration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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19. A test kit for use in a method for detecting explosives selected from nitroaromatics, organic nitrates, nitramines, inorganic nitrates, chlorates and bromates, which kit comprises the following components:
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absorbent means for sampling a suspected source for explosives wherein said suspected source includes a substance, a surface of an inanimate object and an exterior periphery of a human; an alkaline solution of a diazotizable aminoaromatic azo-dye precursor, wherein said solution is contained in dispensing means; a reagent which is a solution containing a nitrate to nitrite ion reducing agent and a diazo-coupler which gives a colored product on reaction with a diazonium compound formed by reaction of said diazotizable aminoaromatic azo-dye precursor with nitrite ion, said solution being sufficiently strongly acidic in that it neutralizes and makes acidic a mixture thereof with an equal volume of said alkaline solution, wherein said reagent is contained in dispensing means; an admixture of zinc powder with liquid which on shaking gives a suspension of said zinc powder therein, wherein said admixture is contained in dispensing means; and an aniline salt in a homogeneous strongly acidic solution including at least one water-miscible organic solvent, wherein said strongly acid solution is contained in dispensing means. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification