Analytical Characterization of Erythritol Tetranitrate, an Improvised Explosive

• Published in: Journal of forensic sciences Vol. 61; no. 3; pp. 759 - 764
• Main Authors: Matyáš, Robert, Lyčka, Antonín, Jirásko, Robert, Jakový, Zdeněk, Maixner, Jaroslav, Mišková, Linda, Künzel, Martin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.05.2016; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: erythritol [15N4] tetranitrate; erythritol tetranitrate; forensic analysis; forensic science; FTIR and Raman spectrometry; improvised explosive; Ions; Laboratories; mass spectrometry; NMR; NMR, FTIR and Raman spectrometry; Scientific imaging; X-ray diffraction spectroscopy; improvised explosive; erythritol [15N4] tetranitrate; X-ray diffraction spectroscopy; forensic science; mass spectrometry; NMR, FTIR and Raman spectrometry; erythritol tetranitrate; forensic analysis
• ISSN: 0022-1198; 1556-4029
• DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.13078

Erythritol tetranitrate (ETN), an ester of nitric acid and erythritol, is a solid crystalline explosive with high explosive performance. Although it has never been used in any industrial or military application, it has become one of the most prepared and misused improvise explosives. In this study, several analytical techniques were explored to facilitate analysis in forensic laboratories. FTIR and Raman spectrometry measurements expand existing data and bring more detailed assignment of bands through the parallel study of erythritol [15N4] tetranitrate. In the case of powder diffraction, recently published data were verified, and 1H, 13C, and 15N NMR spectra are discussed in detail. The technique of electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry was successfully used for the analysis of ETN. Described methods allow fast, versatile, and reliable detection or analysis of samples containing erythritol tetranitrate in forensic laboratories.