Decomposition of pentaerythritol tetranitrate [C(CH2ONO2)4] following electronic excitation

Abstract

We report the experimental and theoretical study of the decomposition of gas phase pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) [C(CH₂ONO₂)₄] following electronic state excitation. PETN has received major attention as an insensitive, high energy explosive; however, the mechanism and dynamics of the decomposition of this material are not clear yet. The initial decomposition mechanism of PETN is explored with nanosecond energy resolved spectroscopy and quantum chemical theory employing the ONIOM algorithm at the complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) level. The nitric oxide (NO) molecule is observed as an initial decomposition product from PETN at three UV excitation wavelengths (226, 236, and 248 nm) with a pulse duration of 8 ns. Energies of the three excitation wavelengths coincide with the (0–0), (0–1), and (0–2) vibronic bands of the NO A ²Σ⁺ ← X ²Π electronic transition, respectively. A unique excitation wavelength independent dissociation channel is observed for PETN, which generates the NO product with a rotationally cold (∼20 K) and a vibrationally hot (∼1300 K) distribution. Potential energy surface calculations at the ONIOM(CASSCF:UFF) level of theory illustrate that conical intersections play an important role in the decomposition mechanism. Electronically excited S₁ PETN returns to the ground state through the (S₁/S₀)_CI conical intersection, and undergoes a nitro-nitrite isomerization to generate the NO product.